Technology and philosophy: news

Showing posts with label news. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

China Tops Nature Index Again, South Korea Ranks 7th

For the third straight year, China has topped the "Nature Index," which measures worldwide scientific research performance. South Korea stayed at 7th position, consistent with the previous year's placement.

The global academic publishing house Springer Nature, which publishes the journal *Nature*, revealed the list of "2026 Nature Index Research Leaders" on the 10th.

The Nature Index is a ranking system developed by Springer Nature that assesses the quantity of research articles published in prestigious scholarly journals, including those focused on natural sciences, along with their influence.

Although the Nature Index mainly focused on fundamental science and medicine disciplines, this year it broadened its coverage by adding 17 applied science journals and 15 social science journals.

China remained the leading nation for global research production this year. Its output rose by 22.4% between 2024 and 2025.

The United States came in second place, with Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, South Korea, India, Canada, and Italy following closely behind.

Among the leading countries, China was the sole nation to achieve growth surpassing 10%. Japan and South Korea also experienced research output increases within the 9% bracket, reflecting strong expansion trends across Eastern Asia.

South Korea placed third in applied sciences, achieving a 14% increase in research production within this area, reflecting significant progress. Nevertheless, it came in eighth for natural sciences, highlighting that it continues to trail somewhat in fundamental scientific disciplines.

In terms of institutions, the Chinese Academy of Sciences was ranked number one. For the first time since the rankings started in 2015, Harvard University from the United States dropped from the top position to be replaced by Zhejiang University from China.

Apart from Harvard University, all entities ranked from 1st to 12th were Chinese institutes or universities. The German Max Planck Society dropped to 13th position, exiting the top 10.

At Seoul National University in South Korea, the institution secured the 58th position, moving down six positions compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, KAIST climbed two ranks to reach 80th spot.

Coupang Fined Record 624.6 Billion Won Over Data Leak

Coupang faced a data breach impacting 37.55 million consumers in November, leading to a penalty exceeding 600 billion South Korean won. On the 11th, the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) stated that it had determined a fine of 624.681 billion won against Coupang during a session held on the 10th, due to violations of the Personal Information Protection Act. This amount exceeds the prior highest penalty of 134.791 billion won given to SK Telecom in August of the previous year. Additionally, the commission opted to charge an extra fine of 16.8 million won.

The committee said, "The inquiry verified that this event happened because of Coupang's failure in handling personal data security," and mentioned, "Additional instructions were provided to enhance protective protocols to avoid such occurrences."

In November of last year, the PIPC initiated an inquiry following a complaint from Coupang, establishing a collaborative task force alongside the Korea Internet & Security Agency.

A former employee at Coupang, who departed in late 2024, was discovered to have carried out a data leakage experiment in January of the previous year, methodically extracting personal details between April and November of that same year by gaining access to member profile editing sections, delivery address controls, and purchase history records.

A cybercriminal created fake authorization tokens to gain entry into the delivery address administration section roughly 148 million times starting from April 14 of the previous year, resulting in the exposure of names, phone numbers, and residential addresses. On June 24 of the same year, they entered the user profile editing area 34.966812 million times, causing leakage of names and electronic mail identifiers. Starting from September 26 of the prior year, they logged into the delivery address update segment 50,474 instances and reviewed the purchase record interface 85,213 times, also leading to disclosure of common access codes and transaction specifics.

Using these techniques, the hacker exposed personal details of 33.22472 million members and at least 4.338368 million individuals who were not members. This involved 33.057012 million names along with email addresses, 63.986351 million shipping address entries (including names, addresses, and common access codes) for a minimum of 22.375359 million members and 4.338368 million non-members, as well as purchase records from 58,349 members.

The committee verified that the event occurred due to Coupang's insufficient security management framework and carelessness. It stated, "Coupang was unable to effectively control access rights for authentication signature keys, and even though there were unusual surges in access during the attack timeframe, it didn’t identify these anomalies."

Coupang learned about the further exposure of 160,000 customers' private details from the delivery address section approximately on January 30 this year, yet reported it to officials just on February 5, which was six days after discovery. Moreover, despite being asked four times by the committee to inform non-member individuals affected by the breach, Coupang failed to take action.

The committee mentioned, "Individuals who were not members could not implement protective actions against additional harm because they did not know about the leakage."

In addition, Coupang had internal policies requiring the destruction of user data 90 days after an account was removed and immediate removal of addresses along with account numbers. However, it did not erase 2,465,592 delivery address details (including names, phone numbers, and addresses) belonging to deactivated accounts, resulting in these being exposed. Moreover, it was discovered that 318,499 account numbers from terminated users were not promptly erased.

Not long after the committee started its inquiry, it instructed Coupang to retain evidence like website access records connected to the event. Nevertheless, Coupang manually erased five months' worth of online activity logs spanning from July through November 2024, making it harder to establish the precise sequence of events surrounding the first data breach. Still, the committee mentioned, "There was no proof discovered indicating that the exposed personal details were shared unlawfully."

Additionally, the committee expressed disapproval towards Coupang for collecting consumers' internet browsing data without permission.

The inquiry found that Coupang gathered and kept track of online behavior data from 11.17613 million consumers between December 23, 2024, and February 4 of this year, encompassing 15.645338 million website and application accesses, which were utilized for personalized ads.

As a result, the committee chose to charge a penalty amounting to 423.575 billion won and a fine of 16.8 million won concerning the data breach, along with an extra penalty of 201.16 billion won related to the illicit gathering of internet usage information.

Penalties were assessed according to Coupang's online shopping service income. According to the Personal Information Protection Act, fines may be as high as 3% of revenue. The committee said, "The ultimate fine was decided taking into account the seriousness of the breach and the extent of the harm caused."

The committee independently chose to charge a fine of 248 million won against Coupang Fulfillment Services, which is part of Coupang.

The inquiry revealed that Coupang Fulfillment Services gathered and handled the names of 71 media representatives from the National Police Agency, despite these individuals never having worked at their distribution facilities, and added them to a confidential employee list. The committee considered this action a breach of guidelines for collecting and utilizing personal data. Furthermore, Coupang Fulfillment Services provided staff weight details to the court during a legal case involving an workplace injury, which the committee viewed as a violation of protocols concerning handling private information.

Busan Bridge Collapse Injures Two Workers During Construction

A bridge being built in Busan fell down, causing injuries to two individuals.

As reported by the Busan Fire and Emergency Management Office on the 11th, a section of a bridge under construction at the Eco Delta City Phase 3, Block 3 development area in Gangseo District, Busan, fell down approximately at 8:42 a.m. that day.

During the incident, employee A, who is 44 years old, received severe injuries, while colleague B, aged 60, experienced less significant harm. Both individuals were taken to a local medical facility. They are currently alert, with no urgent dangers to their lives.

An incident is said to have taken place while installing a girder, which is a beam that supports the roadway, with the help of a crane.

Authorities are looking into the specific details of the incident.

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

People Power Party Urges Leader Jang to Resign

An internal faction of the People Power Party, consisting of legislators who served one or two terms known as "Alternative and Future," officially urged the departure of party head Jang Dong-hyeok on the 11th. Additionally, they requested that the recently named floor leader, Jeong Jeom-sig, hold a gathering of all members to address Jang's exit.

Lee Seong-kweon, a legislator from the People Power Party and head of "Alternative and Future," together with related legislators, convened a media briefing at the National Assembly Communications Center early that day. They remarked, "The People Power Party faced a severe loss in the June 3 local elections," further stating, "Chairman Jang's authority has crumbled, which is entirely due to the leadership of Jang Dong-hyeok." They added, "Conservatives consistently emphasize responsibility. If Chairman Jang genuinely identifies as a 'conservative,' he ought to resign right away."

The collective also rejected Jang's proposal for a "national election." "Alternatives and Future" showed support for the frustration of the 2030 generation regarding violations of voting rights due to systematic issues within the National Election Commission. Nevertheless, they emphasized, "We firmly disagree with holding a national election."

They stated, "It is inappropriate for a conservative party leader to associate citizens' efforts to ensure election integrity with 'election fraud conspiracy theories.' Leader Jang's independent choice to promote these ideas weakens and harms the party's democratic principles."

The group also called for holding a general assembly. Lee said, "The public is observing how the People Power Party will address public opinion and establish an equitable voting system concerning Leader Jang's future and voting rights." He appealed, "We urge Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sig to hold a general meeting to build agreement on these two matters."

Following the press briefing, elected official Kwon Young-jin spoke with journalists and stated, "We participated in the regional elections under a leadership that lost public confidence, following a route that did not connect with voters and ultimately encountered their disapproval." He further remarked, "Claiming victory in the election is profoundly incorrect."

He added, "If Leader Jang keeps following this course, the party will face criticism for being an organization that, even after electoral defeats, denies its shortcomings, holds onto 'voting irregularity conspiracy narratives,' and aims for political endurance." He ended with, "Resolving issues related to voting rights violations can be handled by the National Assembly and the party independently of Leader Jang."

Philippine Military Chief Vows No Political Interference in Senate Crisis

The head of staff of the Armed Forces, General Romeo Brawner Jr., states that the military will remain neutral in political matters even though there is some concern among personnel.

The Philippines The head of the armed forces has taken steps to calm worries about political interference following a contentious Senate leadership conflict, which led to increased security measures, delayed military appointments, and raised concerns that factional groups might take advantage of internal dissent within the ranks.

Head of the Armed Forces, General Romeo Brawner Jnr recognized concerns among certain staff members but stated to This Week in Asia that the military would stay away from political matters.

On Wednesday, Brawner stated, 'Political involvement is not within our responsibilities.' 'We will remain a well-disciplined and professional military force,' he added.

Are you curious about the major issues and developments happening globally? Find your answers here with SCMP Knowledge Our latest platform featuring carefully selected content, including explanations, frequently asked questions, analysis, and visual graphics, presented by our acclaimed team.

His remarks were made as the 24-person group Senate remained paralysed due to an ongoing dispute over leadership, with two senators each declaring themselves as the leader of the chamber and opposing groups claiming authority over its management.

The conflict has halted legislative progress, postponed the advancement of five generals and other military personnel, and increased tensions regarding the Senate's anticipated consideration of the Vice President. Sara Duterte-Carpio 's impeachment trial.

It has also taken place amid an escalating conflict involving the president Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Duterte-Carpio, his 2022 vice-presidential candidate, whose partnership has disintegrated into the nation's most significant political divide.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, who previously served as head of the national police and has strong connections within the military, called on the armed forces and national police on Tuesday to exercise caution.

Lacson stated that unprincipled, ambitious factions and those seeking instability aim to exploit the chaos or circumstances and might attempt to deceive some of our armed forces members.

I'm not claiming that our military personnel lack professionalism. However, during times of chaos, they might confuse unethical organizations with their allies.

Lacson stated that he felt the discomfort within the military was connected to a press event organized last week by 18 former military officials inside the Senate complex, during which they expressed concerns about the army and criticized the Marcos government.

He stated that both events seemed "related" and were part of larger initiatives aimed at undermining the administration.

Brawner acknowledged there was tension among the members, but described it as a combination of professional dissatisfaction and worries about the nation's political situation.

"Regarding the murmurs within the military, it's only normal for some of our staff to feel disappointed due to various factors like not receiving promotions or failing to secure their preferred roles, along with frustrations arising from the current political situation in our nation," Brawner stated.

However, these issues would not involve the military in political conflicts, he stated. "We have come a long way from the era of military adventures. Our soldiers are now more conscious of their appropriate roles."

Some influential individuals have encouraged the armed forces to choose a side in the intense political conflict between Marcos and Duterte-Carpio, an alliance that ended when she stepped down from her role in the presidential administration in June 2024. Following this, she openly warned that if something happened to her, the president, his spouse, and the Speaker of the House would be targeted—statements that formed part of the accusations used during her impeachment proceedings.

In November of last year, former air force commander Major General Romeo Poquiz headed a group of former military officials who openly urged troops to stop backing their top leader, Marcos, and instead pledge allegiance to Duterte-Carpio.

Brawner stated that these kinds of requests did not alter the military's duty to remain neutral in partisan politics, despite soldiers personally observing the nation's political unrest.

Soldiers are monitoring the political situation, and personally, they feel worried, yet their responsibility requires each one of us to stay away from party politics. We refrain from speaking openly. We simply carry out our tasks.

A top-level senior military official, who requested confidentiality, expressed a comparable sentiment, stating that the armed forces will stay neutral and adhere to the established hierarchy.

The officer stated to This Week in Asia, 'We obey instructions and remain dedicated to our mission of safeguarding our nation.'

He characterized internal complaints as "minor," noting that a working promotion process and a complaint procedure were available.

Numerous criticisms currently spreading were "merely partisan political chatter," he stated, blaming one political party for attempting to persuade troops to speak or behave in a way that made their movement seem supported by the military.

Security fears

The Senate leadership fight has increased the tension regarding the chamber's management of Duterte-Carpio's impeachment process, as opposing groups have also been fighting over control of its administration, funding, and security measures.

The heart of the conflict involves Alan Peter Cayetano, a strong supporter of Duterte who asserts he is still the Senate president, and Sherwin Gatchalian, the senator acknowledged by the Marcos government and the House of Representatives as the interim Senate president.

The group led by Gatchalian announced on June 3 that all Senate positions were empty and appointed him as "Acting Senate President," whereas Cayetano has declined to relinquish his role.

The conflict has divided the Senate into opposing factions, with each side asserting control over a body where a simple majority can remove all leadership positions, yet at least 13 votes are required to elect a Senate president.

As of Wednesday, the Cayetano group numbered 11 members, whereas the Gatchalian faction consisted of 12.

On Wednesday, Gatchalian stated that the state-run Land Bank of the Philippines has acknowledged him as the authorized person responsible for issuing Senate checks, which he referred to as evidence of his "functional authority" over the committee.

"The most evident indication of his leadership is my administration and oversight of the Senate. The Land Bank has already finished transferring the signatures, so we will now proceed to sign the checks to deduct funds from the Senate account," Gatchalian said to journalists.

I believe this serves as obvious proof that we maintain authority over the Senate.

Gatchalian additionally directed Senate staff to operate remotely and enhanced security measures, stating that NBI Chief Melvin Matibag had cautioned that "an individual may cause unrest within the Senate and could be carrying weapons."

Cayetano ignored the alert in a Facebook post, alleging that the NBI was "obviously biased" and "involved in violence inside these premises."

He was talking about a May 13 shooting event within the Senate where security personnel opened fire on NBI agents who they alleged were attempting to gain entry to apprehend a senator. Ronald Dela Rosa regarding his supposed involvement in the International Criminal Court's charges of crimes against humanity related to the detention of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Former national police chief and staunch Duterte supporter Dela Rosa has disappeared.

Cayetano's comment was posted on Facebook but did not appear on the official Senate website, which currently lists Gatchalian as "Acting Senate President."

Exclusive: Yonsei Med Director’s $240M Allowance Triggers Outcry

A dispute has arisen among faculty members at Yonsei Medical Center, which manages Severance Hospital, following the disclosure that its director received an additional payment of 240 million South Korean won earlier this year, just after a controversy involving hospital management occurred.

As per reports from the healthcare sector released on the 10th, Yonsei Medical Center distributed a combined amount of 700 million South Korean won in bonuses to nine senior executives during January and February of this year. Director Geum Ki-chang was awarded 240 million South Korean won, with four hospital directors receiving between 60 million and 120 million South Korean won each, and four heads of departments/offices getting 40 million South Korean won apiece.

In order to achieve this, the center introduced new internal rules and categorized the payments as "hospital management allowance" and "administrative responsibility allowance." Nevertheless, certain senior hospital administrators allegedly contributed the entire sum back to the hospital right after becoming aware of the payments.

The recent disclosure has led academics to express worries. Last month, the faculty committee at Yonsei University School of Medicine convened and asked for verification of the details from the hospital.

A lecturer from Severance Hospital stated, "Throughout the administrative dispute in healthcare, 13,000 staff came together, rotated shifts for security duties, and voluntarily took unpaid time off to manage the emergency. However, according to reports, the hospital director supposedly received a 'personal incentive' (bonus based on performance). Such an occurrence has never been seen before during the medical facility's 140 years of operation."

The hospital responded by saying, "This was not a 'performance incentive' but an 'additional payment,' which was lawfully provided following established rules and processes. The wages and additional payments for the head of Yonsei Medical Center and others were less compared to leading hospitals, so extra support was needed. These figures were set after taking into account financial performance and salary structures at rival institutions."

It stated, "Nevertheless, we recognize the comments indicating that 'sufficient input from various members should have been collected' concerning the allowance. We will take feedback into account and implement enhancements moving forward."

Nightmare in the Deep: Employee Savaged by Shark While Snorkeling Near Naval Base

Subscribe to our US Editor's Choice newsletter

A horrifying situation developed for an employee at a Florida A naval base was the scene on Monday when a shark disrupted his snorkeling session, causing alarming cries that were recorded on camera.

A civilian worker stationed at the Naval Warfare Center in Panama City was swimming near the coast at 11:45 am on Monday when he encountered a shark, as reported by Naval Support Activity.

A bystander recorded the incident, showing the victim yelling "help" as he struggled in the water. As he tried to flee from the sea creature, a fin surfaced from beneath the waves.

Commander Tristan Oliveria told NBC News that the worker was scuba diving during his midday pause when the incident occurred.

The deceased remains unidentified. The Navy base stated that the worker suffered significant arm injuries, yet he was ultimately helped by bystanders.

No additional injuries were mentioned. The worker was taken to a nearby hospital with severe health issues.

A 911 call made during the event showed an anxious bystander informing the dispatcher that the victim's arm "was there, but it isn't," in response to whether body parts had been cut off.

A video depicting the terrifying assault spread rapidly across social media, prompting one individual to write, "My deepest fear has become reality. It’s exactly like the opening scene from Jaws. This is truly horrifying. His life was completely altered in an instant. I'm sending my thoughts and prayers to this young man."

Requests for a complete healing," one person added. "A frightening way to spend midday.

"That was an intense midday break. Just one swim. Just one bite. Everything changed from that moment," said another person.

The horrifying assault marks the second one in the Florida Panhandle over the past week. The event took place only a few days after a bull shark attacked a fisherman, the Pensacola News Journal reported.

Rescue personnel and first aid workers reached the location where a bull shark attack occurred, and the angler was transported by air to a nearby medical facility with injuries that were not immediately dangerous.

"He caught a bull shark, then made his way to the shore and attempted to remove the hook, only to be bitten on the thigh," said Dave Greenwood, chief of water safety for Escambia County, to the source.

Although there were consecutive assaults, specialists have warned that encounters with sharks are rare.

Dr. John Carlson, a research biologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shared information with a local CBS station, WJHG which means sharks travel to coastal regions such as the Florida Panhandle to have their young around this time of year.

"The truth is, the chances are extremely small; you're more probable to get hurt using your lawn mower, you're more likely to be bitten by a dog, there's a higher chance of you being struck by a TV than experiencing a shark attack," he said when questioned about the incidents.

Carlson advised swimmers to stay away from murky water and to refrain from entering the ocean during early morning or late evening hours, as this increases the likelihood of sharks confusing people with their usual food sources.

The Daily Mail has contacted the Navy Warfighting Development Command for information regarding the latest incident.

KITAKYUSHU — The sale of kangaroo-themed trading cards, which started this spring in a major local park home to around 350 kangaroos, has exceeded expectations, leading to a new batch being released.

The individual responsible stated, 'We would be pleased if this could enhance supporters' excitement.'

Zoo staff from the municipal Hibikinada Ryokuchi "Green Park," situated in Wakamatsu Ward of the city, suggested the idea of trading cards. This park, which offers multiple attractions, houses the largest number of kangaroos in Japan and attracts many frequent visitors, including devoted kangaroo enthusiasts who often visit just to catch sight of their preferred animals.

The park houses approximately 350 animals belonging to four different species: eastern gray kangaroos, yellow-footed rock-wallabies, common wallaroos, and brush-tailed rat-kangaroos. The collectible cards showcase 20 of the park’s 93 eastern grey kangaroos, including 10 male and 10 female individuals.

The facility started offering postcards in 12 different designs showcasing kangaroos captured through photographs taken by zoo staff back in September of last year. However, following a suggestion from one of the keepers who said, "It might be intriguing to also offer trading cards," these were launched earlier this April. These card-size items are colored prints displaying an image of each animal’s face along with their name, date of birth, notable features, and preferred diet.

Twenty kangaroos were primarily selected from the animals preferred by the keepers. Although their typical life expectancy in captivity is approximately 15 years, the group includes individuals spanning a broad age spectrum, ranging from the nation's eldest at 21 to those as youthful as 5.

Selling started on April 4, aiming for 200 cards within two months. This objective was achieved ahead of schedule, as 247 cards were sold by May 6. As sales remain strong, a second batch of 20 kangaroos will be released on June 13.

A 38-year-old zookeeper supervisor named Shogo Uemura, who knows the facial features and names of each eastern grey kangaroo at the facility, stated, "Every individual has a distinct appearance and character, so I encourage people to focus on each one and choose a preferred kangaroo. Our objective is to issue trading cards featuring all 93 eastern gray kangaroos in five installments."

Trading cards can be purchased at the gift store located close to the entryway of the kangaroo exhibit. One individual card is priced at 100 yen (approximately 62 cents). Sets containing five cards are available for 400 yen (roughly $2.50), while packs with ten cards cost 800 yen (around $5.00). For further information, reach out to Green Park via phone number 093-741-5545 (in Japanese).

(By Takeshi Saito, Kyushu News Department)

Gold drops sharply as markets react

Vietnam gold prices continued to fall on Thursday, reaching the lowest point since September 28, even as international prices bounced back from a six-month low.

The Saigon Jewelry Company reported a decrease of 1.66% in the price of its gold bars and rings, now at VND136 million (US$5,166.88) per tael. Overall, gold rates have fallen by 11% this year within Vietnam.

Gold prices worldwide recovered from a six-month trough on Thursday due to covering of short positions, as investors awaited an important U.S. inflation data release that might provide further insight into the Federal Reserve's monetary strategy. Reuters reported.

Gold prices increased by 0.4% to reach $4,089.12 per ounce, following a drop to its lowest level since November 21 at $4,022.09 during the session. U.S. gold contracts for August shipment declined 0.5% to $4,111.10.

"With prices rapidly approaching $4,000, this is clearly a key point where supporters might rush to secure gains or encourage struggling buyers to return," noted Matt Simpson, a senior analyst at StoneX.

The U.S. dollar index did not make significant progress after Wednesday's CPI data. Therefore, provided there are no unexpected issues in the PPI - gold might experience a short-term technical rebound.

Dollar Climbs in Black Market Amid Turmoil

The American currency increased slightly compared to the Vietnamese đồng in the unofficial market early Thursday.

unofficial currency exchanges priced the dollar at 0.15% more, reaching VND26,400. Vietcombank maintained its rate steady at VND26,410.

The U.S. dollar experienced fluctuations on Thursday due to fresh American military actions in the Middle East, which affected market confidence. Additionally, a rise in May’s U.S. consumer inflation to a three-year peak left investors concerned about the Federal Reserve's approach to monetary policy. Reuters reported.

This week, the foreign exchange market has remained calm, with traders considering the unstable truce in the Middle East alongside an ongoing series of retaliatory attacks between the United States and Iran, which has weakened expectations for a short-term resolution.

The euro reached $1.1553, moving slightly away from the 10-week low it recorded last week, although it has lost much of its increase following an agreement for a truce at the beginning of April. Attention will focus on the European Central Bank’s monetary policy meeting later today as it appears set to increase interest rates to address rising prices.

Sterling stood at £1.33905. The dollar index, used to gauge the U.S. currency versus six key rivals, dropped to 99.903 following reports from U.S. forces stating they have finished attacks on several locations in Iran.

Monday, June 29, 2026

Brittany Higgins Takes on New Advocacy Role Against Rising Misogyny in Australia

Brittany Higgins has taken up a new position as the executive director of the Vida Fund, signaling her first significant role following her departure from a leading PR firm after only five months.

The position at the activist organization will have Higgins concentrate on 'combating the increase of sexism and right-wing political groups in Australia'.

A previous government employee plans to start a campaign targeting Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, although her critiques will extend beyond right-wing politics.

"One Nation along with the emerging far-right is attempting to normalize sexism in a way that Australians have not witnessed previously," Higgins stated in a release.

With [One Nation MP] Barnaby Joyce advocating for this American-style conflict against reproductive freedoms, it has become increasingly crucial to mobilize and respond.

More to come.

Kyodo News Brief: June 11, 2026

TOKYO - Here is the most recent compilation of curated news briefs from Kyodo News.

----------

Japan outlines its position to Pakistan following Islamabad and Beijing expressing concern over military actions.

TOKYO - Japan has clarified its position on defense matters with Pakistan following a recent joint declaration from China and Pakistan expressing opposition to "any efforts by fascism or militarism to resurface," according to diplomatic sources on Wednesday.

A statement issued on May 26 following discussions in Beijing between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was interpreted as a rebuke toward Japan's attempts to enhance its military strength, as China has increased its scrutiny of Japan globally.

----------

Xi rejected efforts to "rekindle militarism" during his visit to North Korea: Xinhua

BEIJING – During his recent trip to North Korea, Chinese President Xi Jinping voiced disapproval of efforts to "rekindle militarism," along with "hegemonistic behavior and power-based politics," according to an announcement from the state-run Xinhua News Agency on Wednesday. The leader seemed to be alluding to Japan and the United States.

President Xi's statements during a welcoming dinner held by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Monday occurred against the backdrop of Beijing increasing its scrutiny of Tokyo's military expansion efforts promoted by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, following a recent dispute involving her remarks about Taiwan.

----------

A bear was spotted close to the Amanohashidate scenic area in Kyoto Prefecture

KYOTO – A bear was caught during the evening hours on Wednesday close to Amanohashidate, which is among Japan's three most beautiful locations, according to authorities.

Someone contacted emergency services at approximately 4:35 p.m. on Wednesday, reporting that a bear was seen and ran towards a sandy area covered with pine trees in the popular tourist zone, as stated by the authorities.

----------

Former lower house speaker Kono, famous for his statement of remorse toward "comfort women," passes away

TOKYO – Yohei Kono, former head of the House of Representatives and former Foreign Minister, who gained recognition for delivering the Japanese government’s significant apology regarding the Korean “comfort women” compelled to serve in Japan’s military brothels during World War II, passed away, according to sources from his family on Wednesday. He was 89 years old.

As chief Cabinet secretary during the time of former Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa in 1993, Kono, who passed away on Monday, released an official declaration recognizing the role of the Japanese military in recruiting "comfort women," typically via force, as well as overseeing places where these individuals were held.

----------

Head of BOJ admitted to hospital, will skip upcoming policy gathering next week

TOKYO - The governor of the Bank of Japan, Kazuo Ueda, has been admitted to the hospital due to an infection related to a liver cyst and will be unable to attend a monetary policy meeting scheduled for next week, according to the central bank on Wednesday.

Deputy Governor of the BOJ, Ryozo Himino, will lead the two-day gathering starting on Monday, whereas Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida will conduct the press briefing following the meeting, according to the bank.

----------

Japan and Malaysia decide to enhance collaboration in energy and maritime safety.

TOKYO - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with Malaysia's leader Anwar Ibrahim during discussions held in Tokyo on Wednesday, where they committed to enhancing collaboration in areas of energy and oceanic safety. This comes as Japan aims to broaden its sources of energy due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Following the summit, Takaichi told journalists that discussions regarding defense matters involved the signing of an agreement between coast guards designed to guarantee secure and unrestricted passage through local waterways. Both countries support the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific, as Beijing's presence in the area continues to expand.

----------

Japan is wrapping up talks with the United States to maintain imports of Russian liquefied natural gas.

TOKYO – Japan is wrapping up talks with the U.S. Treasury Department to prolong an exception that enables businesses to handle dealings connected to the Sakhalin 2 petroleum and natural gas venture in Russia’s eastern region, where Japanese companies have investments, according to several sources on Wednesday.

As the June 18 deadline nears, this action seeks to maintain the ongoing import of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, according to the sources, with cargo flows from the Middle East to Japan having dropped significantly due to an effective blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.

----------

Rugby: Jones selects 35 players for Japan's training team, expresses regret for recent outburst

TOKYO - Veteran forward Michael Leitch, Toulouse's scrum-half Naoto Saito, and Japan Rugby League One's Rookie of the Year Shunsuke Uenobo are part of a group of 35 athletes selected on Wednesday by head coach Eddie Jones for the Brave Blossoms' preparation camp ahead of an upcoming series of test games beginning next month.

A 66-year-old coach started his news briefing in Tokyo by delivering an apology for his "verbal mistreatment" of home referees during the Japanese U23 team's trip to Australia in April, which resulted in the Japan Rugby Football Union imposing a ban and salary reduction on him.

KOSPI Volume Crashes to 500 Million Shares

With South Korea's stock market experiencing significant fluctuations between steep drops and rapid increases each day, investor confidence is beginning to wane.

As reported by the Korea Exchange on the 11th, the typical daily transaction amount in the KOSPI market for this month reached 504.49 million shares, representing the smallest monthly average so far this year. This reflects a drop of 42 percent when contrasted with the mean daily trade volume of 869.2 million shares observed between January and May. The average daily trading level hit a high of 1.10766 billion shares in March, followed by reductions to 947.18 million shares in April, 698.79 million shares in May, and now stands near 500 million shares this month.

A decline in trade volume, an essential measure of market liquidity, is clearly visible. Trade volume hit a high of 80.3325 trillion South Korean won on the 29th of last month and 74.33 trillion South Korean won on the 1st of this month, yet averaged only 46.2314 trillion South Korean won during the previous week (from the 4th to the 10th). Significantly, on the 10th, as the KOSPI fell 4.52% to 7,730.82 due to significant sales from foreign investors and institutional players, trade volume decreased to 39.9448 trillion South Korean won. Within a single week, the market's liquidity was reduced by more than half.

Behind the trend of investors holding back and taking a cautious stance are broader economic uncertainties and global political conflicts. On the 10th, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 4.2% compared to the previous year in May—the largest rise in over three years and one month driven by elevated fuel costs. This greatly reduced hopes for a reduction in interest rates by the U.S. Federal Reserve, leading to stagnation in the stock market.

Amidst the chaos, concerns about an all-out American conflict with Iran arose. On the 10th, U.S. President Donald Trump commented after a U.S. military helicopter was shot down, saying, "Iran will face consequences for delaying," and "We'll strike forcefully today. Talks have ended." Han Ji-young, a research analyst at Kiwoom Securities, noted, "The volatility index (VKOSPI) hit a new peak between 88-91, leading traders to halt transactions completely as part of their risk control measures." Analysts predict that the market will remain stable despite limited trade volume until mid-month, when international developments are anticipated to settle.

In the meantime, concerns about significant overpricing within the New York stock market are encouraging a worldwide approach of waiting and observing. As reported by Yahoo Finance, the "Buffett Indicator," calculated by dividing the overall value of the U.S. stock market by the yearly nominal gross domestic product, has recently climbed to 232.5%. This marks the highest point recorded since GuruFocus started gathering information from 1970 onwards. It indicates that the American stock market is currently 2.3 times bigger than the nation's annual economic production, categorizing it as being in a "significantly overpriced" range according to Wall Street measures. Past patterns show that reaching such an index level often means the U.S. stock market carries a substantial chance of experiencing poor performance during the following year.

Ben Snyder, an equity analyst at Goldman Sachs, mentioned in a study, "Traders are currently buying 'high-priced shares'—stocks having price-to-revenue multiples above 10 times—which have not been observed for many years. The previous time such excessive speculation occurred was during the 2000 internet boom."

Singapore Confirms Arrest Warrants for 1MDB's Jho Low Remain Active Despite U.S. Clemency Effort

A number of assets connected to 1MDB continue to be held in Singapore, including properties valued at approximately $78 million linked to Low and his relatives.

Singapore police stated that arrest orders for the wanted financial figure Jho Low are still valid, despite the fact that the Malaysian keeps trying to request mercy from the US President Donald Trump .

"Warrants of arrest and Interpol "Red Notices remain active for both Tan Kim Loong and Low Taek Jho," stated the police in a release on Wednesday. Tan is recognized as an associate of Low and is also involved in Malaysia's multi-billion dollar case. 1MDB scandal .

The U.S. and Malaysian officials accuse Low of orchestrating the 1MDB controversy, where billions are said to have been illegally taken from the state-owned investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad. Funds were reportedly redirected via a network of dummy corporations, with Low — who has remained hidden since 2015 — denying any involvement in improper activities.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim He stated that his administration would not entertain any petition for clemency regarding Low, as reported by the state news agency Bernama. Legal processes concerning Low—who faced charges in his absence in 2018—continue to be pursued.

Singapore officials mentioned that multiple properties linked to 1MDB are still under seizure in the country, including those associated with Low and his relatives. By July 2024, approximately S$164 million (US$127 million) in assets had been frozen or restricted from being sold, with S$101 million related directly to Low and his family.

Malaysia has retrieved 29.75 billion ringgit (US$7.3 billion) worth of assets linked to 1MDB, representing roughly 70 percent of the 42 billion ringgit reportedly misappropriated from the fund, as reported by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission .

In 2018, Low faced charges from U.S. officials but managed to avoid capture. Recently, he filed a request for clemency with the U.S. Department of Justice, as mentioned in an announcement on the DOJ’s official site.

CEO of UK AI Firm Found Dead by Stabbing Weeks After Taking Leadership Role

Neil Muller, the recently named CEO of UK tech firm Node4, was discovered fatally injured with stab wounds at his residence in central England only seven weeks after starting the role.

Muller was discovered at his secured, five-bedroom home located on Langley Road in the village of Claverdon, Warwickshire, during the early hours of June 7th. Stratford Herald reported.

Emergency medical personnel notified authorities at 6:15 a.m. regarding a man in his 50s requiring immediate treatment after being stabbed in the chest, as stated by a Warwickshire Police report. The individual was declared deceased at the location at 6:37 a.m.

A 55-year-old woman from Birmingham was taken into custody at 7:33 a.m. on charges related to murder and later granted bail, according to authorities. The police department stated there is no ongoing threat to the general public and that an inquiry is currently being conducted.

Muller was appointed as group CEO of Node4, based in Derby, in April. Node4, which refers to itself as an artificial intelligence business solutions and managed service provider, is among the biggest tech firms in the Midlands. The company is supported by the private equity firm Providence Equity Partners and has approximately 1,100 employees. Muller was hired to refine the company’s approach and grow its AI-enhanced offerings.

A representative from Node4 expressed in a statement that the company was "deeply saddened" by Müller's passing.

Even though Neil has only recently become part of Node4, he created a significant influence within a brief period," the spokesperson stated. "He introduced genuine enthusiasm, drive, and dedication to the company, and his absence will be profoundly missed by everyone at Node4 and beyond in the broader sector.

Muller dedicated over twenty years with the IT solutions company Computacenter, ascending to the position of managing director for the U.K. and Ireland, subsequently holding the role of group chief executive officer at Daisy Group between 2015 and 2018, and later overseeing the cloud technology firm Digital Space for seven years up until 2025.

Messages of appreciation from various parts of the UK tech industry came after word of his passing. John Bearn, the European managing director at Computacenter, commented on LinkedIn That Muller was among the top professionals in the field, according to the trade magazine. Insider Media reported.

Neil Muller, former CEO of Node4. Image courtesy of Facebook

In addition to his professional life, Muller was a prominent presence in Claverdon, having served for six years with the local football club as both assistant manager and manager before retiring from those roles approximately two years ago. He continued to support the club financially, which achieved a league and cup double this season. He was captured joining the team in celebration of their success at Warwick Racecourse earlier this year, the Daily Mail noted. He has a spouse and two offspring.

His father, Brian, aged 81, said to the Daily Mail The family remained eager to find out what had occurred.

I received a phone call from the police at 9 a.m. on Monday morning informing me that Neil had passed away, but they haven’t provided us with any further details. We haven’t met with the police or received any additional information, so we simply don’t have more knowledge about what happened.

He mentioned that he had last talked to his son via telephone the prior week, noting that the family occasionally experienced long periods without communication due to his son's job.

Resident claimed they were shocked by the passing. A nearby resident, who requested anonymity, mentioned that Müller contributed significantly to the local soccer team and that his absence was profoundly missed throughout the community.

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Prosecutor Demands 8-Month Sentence for YouTube Spy Claim

The prosecutor asked for an eight-month jail term for a YouTube content creator who alleged that Kim Hee-young, head of the T&C Foundation and girlfriend of SK Group CEO Chey Tae-won, worked as a Chinese intelligence agent.

Judge Kwon Min-jeong from the Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Eastern District Court conducted the initial hearing on the 11th for Park, a man in his 50s, who has been brought to court charged with defamation via misleading information under the Information and Communications Network Act. Park had previously received an indictment without being detained in April.

Park is charged with disseminating misleading information, such as claiming on his YouTube channel last year that Kim was highly likely to be a Chinese spy.

The prosecutor asked the court to impose an 8-month jail term on Park, saying, "The accused made unfounded and unreasonable statements and posted videos of those comments, which worsened the severity of the offense."

Park confessed to all the allegations.

The trial judgment for Park is scheduled for the 9th day of the following month.

Supreme Court Confirms 5-Year Sentence for Jagyeongdan Missionary

On the 11th, the Supreme Court approved a five-year jail term for a woman charged with producing explicit content involving sexual abuse and engaging in acts akin to rape against a child, during her involvement with 'Jagyeongdan,' South Korea's most extensive sex trafficking organization.

The Third Division of the Supreme Court (led by Chief Justice Oh Seok-jun) confirmed the decision made by the lower court, dismissing the appeal filed by Defendant Ms. A regarding allegations of membership in or managing a criminal group and breaching the Child and Adolescent Protection Act (which includes producing materials related to child sexual abuse).

Jagyeongdan was a pyramid scheme operating through Telegram, established in 2020 under the leadership of Kim Nok-wan. The organization gathered personal details from people who shared images of their bodies on social platforms, women who sought arranged meetups, and males attempting to access Telegram's 'Acquaintance Humiliation Room.' Victims were coerced into providing explicit photographs, which were subsequently utilized for producing and spreading sexually abusive content. It has been discovered that Kim Nok-wan was involved in several real-life sexual attacks as well. With 261 victims, including children, this figure surpasses triple the amount seen in the "Doctor’s Room" incident headed by Cho Joo-bin, which had 73 victims.

Kim Nok-wan, who called himself a 'pastor,' gave titles such as 'missionary' and 'potential missionary' to followers while engaging in acts of sexual exploitation. Ms. A, serving as a missionary within Jagyeongdan, was charged with creating child pornography and attempting rape against a male underage victim.

The initial and subsequent court proceedings resulted in Ms. A receiving a sentence of five years in jail along with three years under supervised release. Throughout the legal process, Ms. A asserted, "I was simply an instrument forced by Kim Nok-wan's intimidation and had no intention of participating in criminal activities," however, the highest judicial authority dismissed this claim. The ruling emphasized, "Her involvement in linking victims to Kim Nok-wan played a central and crucial role in the sexual exploitation offenses," acknowledging her as a joint offender due to her direct actions like generating explicit content for certain individuals.

Nevertheless, the Supreme Court found Ms. A not guilty of being part of a criminal organization, determining that Jagyeongdan did not have enough structural organization to qualify as a criminal group according to the Criminal Act. The court supported the previous decision, noting, "No proof exists that Jagyeongdan was capable of systematically committing crimes independently of Kim Nok-wan."

In the initial and subsequent trials related to the Jagyeongdan incident, Kim Nok-wan was sentenced to life in prison. He has filed an appeal against the decision from the second trial, and the Supreme Court is now examining the matter.

Cambridge Organist Dies After Falling into River Cam

To access private assistance, contact Samaritans at 116 123, go to samaritans.org, or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
View more from Daily Mail on Google – add us as a Favorite Source

A celebrated young Cambridge University an organist who has performed at the renowned Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols ceremony, which is aired globally each year Christmas Eve passed away following what seems to be a drowning incident in the city.

Harrison Cole, aged 25, is thought to have slipped into the River Cam near King’s College Chapel — where the Christmas concert takes place — on Saturday.

Emergency responders rushed to the location the next day following a call about a corpse found in the water near a place called the Backs, where multiple colleges border the river.

He was removed from the shallow river, typically crowded with punt boats throughout the day, yet he was pronounced deceased on-site.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police stated: “We received a call at 9:20 am on Sunday regarding a body found in the River Cam, Cambridge.”

The man's death is not considered unusual, and the case has been referred to the coroner.

Harrison, an member of the Royal College of Organists, earned a Master's degree in Music from Trinity College, University of Cambridge, and received his diploma in 2023.

Before appearing at the 2025 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, he stated it was "a great joy and honor" to take part in this globally recognized event.

He had earlier enrolled at the tuition-charging Ipswich School as a sixth-form music student.

Former students of the old institution, known as Old Ipswichians, have included Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and H. Rider Haggard, the writer of "King Solomon's Mines."

Harrison additionally dedicated three years to the Royal Academy of Music's Junior Department, where he learned organ under Anne Marsden Thomas, who has served as Director of Music at St Giles Cripplegate Church in London since 1982, home to three pipe organs.

After taking a gap year with an organ scholarship at Wells Cathedral in Somerset, where he performed alongside the Cathedral Choir during daily Evensong, special ceremonies, and world premieres of new compositions, he began his studies at Trinity College Cambridge as an organ scholar in 2019.

After completing his studies, he worked for a year as an assistant organist at Gonville and Caius College prior to starting his role at King’s in September 2024.

While working there, he supported the choir during recordings, radio appearances, and performances, including two Festivals of Nine Lessons and Carols, as well as trips to Australia, Estonia, the United States, and Canada. He also performed at Westminster Abbey.

Harrison was scheduled to depart from King’s this summer and had just received appointments as assistants at St Paul’s Knightsbridge and St Michael’s Cornhill in London.

In a statement released by King's, it was mentioned that from these "two major music institutions," he was ready to pursue a freelance career as a pianist, organist, and conductor.

"The whole college community has experienced this sorrow deeply, especially the choir and chapel groups," said Provost Gillian Tett.

Our minds are with his family and those dear to him during this sorrowful period.

A digital profile from March mentioned that Harrison was working on "future initiatives in Slovenia and Singapore."

Apart from his passion for music, he was typically immersed in reading an excellent book, attending plays, and exploring art museums. His enthusiasm extended to studying philosophy and historical subjects as well.

While serving as Assistant Organist for King’s College choir, he was tasked with helping train the young singers, along with accompanying them during recordings, performances, and live transmissions.

A representative from King's College stated: "We were deeply saddened by the unfortunate passing of Harrison Cole."

He was an accomplished musician and a cherished part of our community, someone who will be greatly missed by numerous people.

We are striving to assist the students and faculty affected by this tragedy within our community.

We won't be making additional comments at this point in consideration of his family's private matters.

A representative from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust stated: 'An ambulance, a paramedic vehicle, and the East Anglian Air Ambulance were dispatched to Queen's Road in Cambridge early on Sunday after reports of someone in the water.'

'Colleagues from Fire and Rescue helped bring a man back to shore, however, unfortunately, despite everyone's best attempts, the individual had passed away on site.'

The Christmas Eve ceremony known as A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols has been conducted at King's College Chapel since 1918.

It premiered in 1928 and is currently enjoyed by approximately 370 million listeners annually, as per BBC data – with numerous fans considering it the beginning of the holiday season.

* For private assistance, contact Samaritans at 116 123, go to samaritans.org, or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support

Under continuous scrutiny from supporters of Cheong regarding Democratic Party of Korea Representative Song Young-gil's support for Kim Kwan-young, an independent contender in the June 3 local election race for governor of North Jeollanam-do, Song remarked on the 11th, "We should prioritize unity rather than discord."

Previously, on the 30th day of the previous month, Song stated during a YouTube stream, "It's inconsistent for the Democratic Party to remove Kim Kwan-young and concentrate their efforts on North Jeolla," noting, "As Kim was also selected by President Lee Jae Myung, this choice should be made based on the opinions of local voters." This occurred as Kim, who had contested the party's move to banish him and subsequently campaigned independently, competed against the Democratic Party's candidate Lee Won-taek.

As a reply, Lee Sung-yoon, a member of the Pro-Cheong Faction's Supreme Council, shared on Facebook on the 7th, "Are you attempting to weaken the party's leadership?" and expressed criticism, saying, "The statements and behavior of former Representative Song are reckless and represent significant damage to the party." The next day, Representative Yoon Joon-byeong remarked, "Song Young-gil, who publicly backed the independent candidate Kim Kwan-young and engaged in acts of disloyalty—shouldn’t he be considered responsible?" and continued, "It feels awkward just to think of him as a possible leader within the Democratic Party."

Lee Won-taek, who won against Kim in the election, shared on Facebook the day before, "Song Young-gil's actions detrimental to the party should face disciplinary measures." The newly elected representative stated, "Song's comments violated those within the party who tirelessly fought to safeguard Democratic Party candidates throughout North Jeolla, constituting an intolerable breach of loyalty."

The song didn't explicitly respond to these critiques. Rather, he shared a post on Facebook on the 11th, mentioning an interview with President Lee Jae Myung featured in *The Economist* the day before. The piece stated, "Since the country became democratic, over half of South Korea's presidents have faced impeachment or imprisonment," and also mentioned, "President Lee admitted that the chance of him falling into this harmful pattern is 'very likely.'"

Song said, "I was shocked when the president talked about the history of impeachment and detention of previous presidents and acknowledged, 'There's a good chance I could become a victim.'” He added, "My recollection of saying goodbye to President Roh Moo-hyun in May 2009 remains clear," and questioned, "What have we understood, what should we remain cautious about, and what do we need to safeguard amidst this sorrow?"

Song stated, "We've already experienced the painful reality of how severe the divisions within the Democratic Party can become." He further noted, "These splits haven't strengthened us; too much harsh critique and blame between each other, once they go beyond bounds, eventually block progress towards bigger objectives."

Song stated, "People who look in the same direction don’t have to blind each other," and emphasized, "We should prioritize the common good rather than feelings, embrace inclusivity instead of separation, and promote solidarity over conflict." He ended with, "Let’s support the Lee Jae Myung administration using the strength of unity and strive to improve citizens' lives."

Nottingham Stabbing Victim Fumes as Killer’s Father Breaks Silence After Inquiry Delay

The mother of Nottingham Stabbed victim Barnaby Webber has criticized the father of her son's assailant following his long-awaited statement regarding the incident.

Emma Webber claimed that Amissao Calocane "refused" to provide the families with clear information by offering "ambiguous and diluted" details regarding his mentally unwell son Valdo's actions before the 2023 tragedy.

Three years ago over the weekend, Calocane attacked and stabbed 19-year-old Mr Webber, his friend and fellow first-year student Grace O'Malley-Kumar, as well as 65-year-old caretaker Ian Coates in a violent assault in Nottingham city center.

He subsequently drove Mr. Coates' delivery truck into pedestrians, causing serious injuries to three more people, before being finally subdued in an incident that caused widespread alarm across Britain.

However, although Calocane's mother, Celeste, and his brother, Elias, provided testimony during a public investigation of the incident, Amissao reportedly received specific authorization to avoid doing so.

Three testimonies submitted to the investigation, which concluded last week following three and a half months, have recently been released, in which Amissao stated he had "no clear recollection" of his son's deteriorating mental state or other significant incidents.

He also couldn't recall a discussion from several hours prior when Calocane stated he no longer wished for his mother, who was a nurse, to reach out to him.

In response to his testimony on social media, Ms. Webber stated: "The unclear and weakened written statement from Calocane Senior is preventing us from receiving the answers we deserve."

He was allowed to avoid appearing even though there were many requests from the victims and their families' legal representatives. This choice was one we all strongly disagreed with.

Only statements provide one-directional communication.

Regrettably, we are helpless and restricted by the choice." "It's unfortunate, but we have no control over this decision." "We're unfortunately stuck with the outcome of this choice." "This decision leaves us feeling incapable of acting." "Unfortunately, our hands are tied by what has been decided.

Mr. Calocane stated he was unaware of his son's actions until the day after the tragic event.

He stated: "When they (family members) saw me, they inquired whether I had received any news regarding Valdo."

I stated that I hadn't, and at that moment, they displayed the news on television and informed me about what occurred in Nottingham.

Initially, I found it hard to accept as real.

It took me quite some time to come to terms with what actually occurred – it was only after watching the footage of Valdo that I understood his actions.

The relatives of the victims have been seeking information regarding Calocane's concerning actions in the period leading up to his attack, as well as wanting to understand what steps the villain's family took.

Ms. Webber said: "This is significant and it applies here."

His offspring ruined my family. He took my son away from us.

Isn't it only right for me/us to deserve the opportunity to receive answers and the truth?

The investigation learned that Calocane had been placed under compulsory detention four times within the three years prior to the incident on June 13, 2023, yet he kept being sent back to society even though worries were raised regarding his worsening conduct.

A consulting psychiatrist once cautioned that he "might kill someone" at the time of his initial detention in 2020.

He has a record of violent behavior and was said to have attacked two coworkers at the factory where they were employed only weeks prior to the incident.

However, Leicestershire Police who arrived at the location were unaware that Calocane had an active arrest warrant issued by Nottinghamshire Police for supposedly attacking an emergency responder — a mistake acknowledged by the rookie officer on site as "an operational error."

Calocane consistently deceived healthcare workers in Nottingham, declining a particular medicine due to his claimed anxiety about syringes – even though he had received COVID vaccinations.

He was transferred back to his general practitioner approximately nine months prior to the incident, following his failure to participate with the specialized mental health team.

It emerged that the mental health team had raised issues regarding the detention of Calocane, who hails from Guinea-Bissau in West Africa, for fear it might be perceived as discriminatory.

He received a lifelong hospital directive after admitting guilt for murder based on reduced accountability.

The families continue to be angry because the prosecutors did not pursue a murder charge and are demanding a meeting with the government to discuss their choices.

The investigation will be required to present its conclusions within one year.

Technology and philosophy

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

China Tops Nature Index Again, South Korea Ranks 7th

Coupang Fined Record 624.6 Billion Won Over Data Leak

Busan Bridge Collapse Injures Two Workers During Construction

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

People Power Party Urges Leader Jang to Resign

Philippine Military Chief Vows No Political Interference in Senate Crisis

Security fears

Exclusive: Yonsei Med Director’s $240M Allowance Triggers Outcry

Nightmare in the Deep: Employee Savaged by Shark While Snorkeling Near Naval Base

New Kangaroo Cards Have Fans Jumping to Japan's Kitakyushu Gift Shops

Gold drops sharply as markets react

Dollar Climbs in Black Market Amid Turmoil

Monday, June 29, 2026

Brittany Higgins Takes on New Advocacy Role Against Rising Misogyny in Australia

Kyodo News Brief: June 11, 2026

KOSPI Volume Crashes to 500 Million Shares

Singapore Confirms Arrest Warrants for 1MDB's Jho Low Remain Active Despite U.S. Clemency Effort

CEO of UK AI Firm Found Dead by Stabbing Weeks After Taking Leadership Role

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Prosecutor Demands 8-Month Sentence for YouTube Spy Claim

Supreme Court Confirms 5-Year Sentence for Jagyeongdan Missionary

Cambridge Organist Dies After Falling into River Cam

Democratic Party infighting: Song Young-gil urges unity

Nottingham Stabbing Victim Fumes as Killer’s Father Breaks Silence After Inquiry Delay