Wildfires Erupt in South Korea, Killing 4 and Forcing Thousands to Evacuate

Amid a tumultuous international situation, the foreign ministers of China, Japan, and South Korea met in Tokyo for the 11th Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the first since 2023, to discuss trilateral cooperation, economic integration, and the importance of addressing North Korea's belligerent stance. The meeting aimed to provide political momentum for trilateral collaboration, including the resumption of FTA negotiations and the denuclearization of North Korea, while navigating tensions between China, Japan, and South Korea due...

A court in Tokyo ordered the Japanese branch of the Unification Church to disband due to financial exploitation of members following the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, leading to the loss of legal status and government intervention. The church, founded by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, forced members into financial hardship for political donations, resulting in a government request for dissolution after former members reported financial damages of $140 million. The church, with 600,000...

Flagright, a Singapore-based AI-native anti-money laundering platform, has secured a US$4.3 million seed funding round led by Frontline Ventures and supported by investors like Y Combinator. The funding will drive AI innovation and expansion into North America, with a focus on launching AI Forensics products. With a no-code platform and high-performance scenario builder, Flagright aims to improve operational efficiency and compliance accuracy for its 50+ global customers. Full Article

England's Ben Duckett expressed his interest in potentially captaining his country in limited-overs cricket, following Jos Buttler's resignation from the role. Duckett, a top-order batter, stated that while he dreams of leading England, he is unsure if he is being considered for the position. With experience in ODIs, T20Is, and Tests, Duckett remains focused on playing for his country and is content with his current role in the team. Full Article

June Cheung, Head of JAPAC at Scope3Australia, is a high-achieving professional who overcame challenges as an immigrant and excelled in the tech industry with Oracle before leading decarbonization efforts at Scope3. She has secured partnerships with major companies like Foxtel Media and JCDecaux, reducing carbon emissions and introducing innovative products like a DOOH measurement tool. Cheung's dedication to sustainability extends to her involvement in industry networks, speaking engagements, and organizing events, showcasing her commitment to...

Hyundai announced a US$5.8 billion investment in a new steel plant in Louisiana, creating 1,300 American jobs and aiming to strengthen the US automotive supply chain. This move comes as part of a trend of companies, including Apple and Oracle, investing billions in the US following President Trump's return to power in January. Trump's threats of tariffs have led to a surge in investment in US projects, with Hyundai being the latest firm to join...