The New Normal: East Asia’s Brutal Heatwave

A brutal heatwave across East Asia has devastated agriculture, leaving one farmer Lee Sang-hyuk with an entirely spoiled potato crop in Yanggu county, 80 miles (130km) north-east of Seoul, South Korea. 

The extreme ground heat effectively cooked the produce in the soil, turning a healthy-looking field into mush within a single week. 

Speaking to local broadcaster SBS, Lee expressed heartbreak over the widespread damage. His ruined livelihood reflects the broader impact of record-breaking summer temperatures currently impacting South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong. As per a news report from The Guardian published August 13, 2026. 

In fact, two Sundays ago, the south-eastern city of Yangsan recorded a temperature of 42.5C, the highest registered in South Korea since modern weather observations began in 1904. 

The scorching heat has since been blamed for at least 31 deaths nationwide, according to the country’s disease control agency, while more than 900,000 livestock and 1.4 million farmed fish have died. 

Authorities issued a heat warning, urging people to “immediately stop all outdoor activities”. 

South Korea’s president, Lee Jae Myung, told his cabinet the extreme weather was “unlike anything we have experienced before”. 

“We need to make efforts for a fundamental overhaul of the national crisis system”, he said, “since this extreme weather is becoming the new normal”. 

In neighbouring Japan, temperatures reached 40C or higher at multiple locations and the country recorded its first ever “kokushobi”, or “cruelly hot day”, a new category introduced this year by the country’s weather agency for temperatures above 40C. In Tokyo, three lions died of suspected heatstroke at a city zoo. 

Scientists say the extremes are part of a wider pattern. Researchers working through Japan’s Weather Attribution Centre found that the country’s intense July heat would have been “virtually impossible” without global warming. 

Without the warming caused by human activity, they calculated, a heatwave of this scale would occur on average once ever 10,000 years. The heat struck even as an El Niño event was under way, a natural climate pattern that has in the past been associated with a lower likelihood of extreme summer heat in Japan. 

In Hong Kong, its observatory posted an official temperature of 36.9C, the highest recorded there since records began in 1884, as the outer bands of Typhoon Dolphin swept hot air over the city. 

In China’s western Xinjiang region, a weather station recorded a 50C reading in July and heatwaves gripped the country’s north-east, while North Korea reported a run of tropical nights in Pyongyang, with temperatures failing to fall below 25C. 

The World Meteorological Organization said in their latest State of the Climate in Asia report that the pace of Asia’s warming between 1991 and 2025 is roughly twice that of the preceding three decades. 

June-Yi Lee (right), a climate scientist at Pusan National University and a coordinating lead author of the UN’s most recent climate assessment, warned that heatwaves were expected to become more frequent and intense as the climate heated up, while compound extremes, such as consecutive heatwaves and heavy rainfall, were becoming more common. 

“There is an urgent need for rapid, large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to limit further global warming together with well-planned adaptation measures to address the climate change that is already occurring”, she said.

Ukraine Warns About The New Threat Triad

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, on Monday, issued a stark warning about what he described as three growing threats facing Ukraine as the war with Russia continues, namely, North Korea, Iran, and China. 

He explained that North Korea has supplied munitions and thousands of troops, Iran has provided drones and ballistic missiles, and China is assisting Russia with satellite and targeting technology. 

Even if it is true, what's the big deal? The West has been standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine providing money, weapons and even combatants (labelled as independent volunteers) to Ukraine all this while. 

Zelensky fears that this four-power axis gravely threatens Ukraine.

To be sure, Russia is more than capable of handling Ukraine by themselves. My only misgiving is that Russia is taking their sweet time to vanquish, destroy, and annihilate Ukraine once and for all!

Top seeds Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan got their Taipei Open campaign off to a solid start after easing past Japan's Mao Hitasue-Kanano Muroya 21-15, 21-17 to advance to the next round on Wednesday. The Malaysians cleared the opening hurdle in only 38 minutes.

Donald Trump's Truth Social War Stats

US President Donald Trump published the post immediately below on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, July 21, 2026: 

He captioned the visual data by writing, “These are the real facts. REPORT THEM!” to push back against congressional critics regarding the costs and objectives of the current Middle East operations.

He has been roundly denounced for the post because he belittled the deaths of service members in the listed conflicts. 

Former supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene said Trump was “bragging about killing 18 US soldiers”. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the president a “disgusting Little Man”, while commentator Brian Krassenstein said Trump was minimizing “18 soldiers [who] have died from his stupid Iran war”. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the post “beneath contempt”, and Senator Chris Van Hollen said Trump was “downplaying” the loss of American lives. 

On Wednesday, Trump courted controversy once again when he appeared to dismiss the conflict, referring to it as a "skirmish".

It shouldn't come as a surprise. He's a deviant. A degenerate. A sicko. 👿👿👿

The Real Cost of FIFA’s World Cup Record Revenue

Despite initial fears, football fans have unequivocally proven that they are willing to pay steep ticket prices to experience the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

In fact, FIFA effectively won the battle for fans' wallets, turning the tournament into a historic commercial success. 

However, the data shows that this nearly 99.7% occupancy rate and the staggering 6,527,410 total attendees through the first 100 matches tell a more complex story than just universal fan approval. 

Truth be told, a vast percentage of the tickets were purchased by corporate sponsors, hospitality packages, and affluent travelers – a group that possess the immense purchasing power required to absorb the record-high costs. 

And while the overall cumulative data is record-breaking, early matches featuring less prominent football nations did suffer from noticeable, televised swathes of empty seats (e.g., June 11th's South Korea vs. Czech Republic fixture in Guadalajara, Mexico). 

Furthermore, to combat severe backlash regarding accessibility, FIFA introduced a last-minute Supporter Entry Tier right before the tournament began. This program, which allocated heavily discounted $60 tickets to loyal national federation fans, helped fill gaps in lower-demand games. 

Sure, Gianni Infantino might subscribe to the view that FIFA's pricing model has succeeded financially and that global demand for the World Cup is incredibly resilient, but it has left a lasting debate regarding the tournament's overall inclusivity. 

And if I may repeat, the hostile US treatment towards Iran is a blardy disgrace!

Yoon Sui Yeol Gets 30 Years Over Drone Provocation

A South Korean court have sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol (left) to 30 years in prison, Yonhap news agency reported. Judges reportedly found that he ordered drones to be sent into North Korea in order to inflame tensions and create a pretext for his declaration of martial law. 

Yoon declared martial law in December of 2024, citing legislative gridlock and what he described as a plot by pro-Pyongyang forces within the South Korean political establishment. The nation’s parliament formally overturned the decree within hours despite attempts by police and soldiers to stop lawmakers from accessing the National Assembly building. 

Yoon was impeached just over a week later, suspended from office, and formally removed from power by the Constitutional Court months later. 

On Friday, a Seoul court ruled that Yoon had abused his power and “benefited the enemy” with his drone plot, among other charges, and sentenced him to 30 years in prison. According to the Associated Press, the court also accused him of harming South Korea’s military interests by exposing its capabilities and prompting Pyongyang to take a stronger defensive posture. 

Yoon’s former defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, was also sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in the plot, while former Defense Counterintelligence Command chief Yeo In-hyung received a 15-year sentence. 

Friday’s sentence adds to Yoon’s growing list of convictions. He is already in detention, having previously received a life sentence earlier in 2026 for insurrection related to the same failed martial law bid.

Over the last two decades, high-speed rail has evolved from a niche transportation technology into a centerpiece of national infrastructure strategy. 

Countries have pursued these networks for different reasons, from reducing domestic flight demand to improving connections between major economic hubs. The result is a striking global divide between nations that have invested heavily in high-speed rail and those that have largely stayed on the sidelines. 

The above graphic ranks countries by installed high-speed rail length using 2024 data from the International Union of Railways (UIC). 

[Note: High-speed rail generally refers to passenger lines capable of operating at speeds of at least 200 km/h (124 mph), including Japan’s famous Shinkansen bullet trains].

Small, Portable Comforts for Well-being

“I’m having a hard day”. For a growing number of young consumers, that sentiment is no longer kept private. It is managed, quite literally, in hand. 

Across South Korea, small, portable items designed to ease tension are becoming part of daily routines. From tactile keycap keyrings clipped onto bags to soft squishy toys and pocket-sized worry stones, these objects are emerging as everyday tools for managing stress. 

According to SomeTrend, Instagram mentions of “keycap keyrings” rose 137 percent in February compared with December, while blog mentions increased 56 percent over the same period. The appeal is straightforward. 

Many of these fidget toy-like products deliver immediate tactile feedback and a brief mental reset through a clicking sound or soft resistance. 

Consumers also treat them as accessories, customising keycaps or choosing character-themed designs that reflect personal taste. 

Popular culture has taken notice. A recent skit on SNL Korea satirised Gen Z office life, featuring a young employee anxiously tapping a keycap after being scolded by a supervisor. The exaggerated scene – rapid, almost compulsive clicking to regain composure – mirrors how such items are increasingly framed as quick coping tools for workplace stress. 

Industry observers say the broader movement aligns with a shift in how younger generations approach emotional well-being. 

In a February 12, 2026 report titled Minority Report: Dare to Be Vulnerable, Cheil Worldwide said vulnerability is increasingly seen not as a flaw but as a marker of authenticity. 

Rather than masking stress, users openly acknowledge it and seek small, accessible ways to manage it. The behaviour is translating into consumption patterns. 

In Seoul’s Dongdaemun Shopping Complex, an accessory supply arcade, vendors report a noticeable rise in visitors in their 20s and 30s. Many gather around displays of squishy toys, testing textures and comparing how quickly items return to shape. 

“Fidgeting with them helps me relax. I also use them during meetings at work when I need to come up with new ideas”, said a 28-year-old surnamed Kim. 

Other objects gaining traction include “worry stones” – small, thumb-sized stones with a shallow indentation emerging as simple tools for easing anxiety. Users rub the surface with their thumb, a repetitive motion believed to promote calm. 

Materials range from ordinary pebbles to polished stone or ceramic. What ties these items together is accessibility. They are inexpensive, easy to carry and require no instruction. More importantly, they provide a quick, physical way to interrupt stress – albeit only briefly. 

Analysts say that the combination is key. In a fast-paced environment, products that offer instant sensory satisfaction while doubling as a form of self-expression can spread quickly. 

As the line between emotional care and consumer goods continues to blur, the market for these small “coping tools” is expected to expand. 

For many users, the appeal is practical rather than aspirational. A keycap keyring clipped to a bag or a soft toy tucked into a pocket may not address the underlying causes of stress. 

But in the course of an ordinary day, they offer something immediate: a brief pause, held in the palm of a hand.

Yesterday, Sivasangari Subramaniam staged a stunning comeback to defeat top seed Amina Orfi and qualify for the final of the Grasshopper Cup 2026. 

Defeating the world No. 3 to snap a six-match losing streak is a huge testament to the Malaysian's grit, especially winning it in a grueling 81-minute five-setter, 3-2: 11-7, 5-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5. 

"I feel happy", Sivasangari told PSA Squash Tour after the match. 

I am happy for her too!! 😀😀😀

Melon Cream Bun Recalled in South Korea

A popular melon cream bun sold at convenience stores has been recalled following consumer complaints of a supposedly foul odour. 

A local media report on Thursday revealed the pungent problem: durian flavouring was accidentally used in place of melon flavouring. Reports of an unpleasant smell, which some customers described as “sewer-like”, had quickly spread online, prompting a surge in refund and exchange requests as many shared similar experiences. The distributor confirmed that around 20,000 buns were removed from circulation following the reports. 

According to Channel A, the odour was not caused by spoilage, but a manufacturing mix-up. At the production facility, durian flavoring was mistakenly used in place of melon due to a labelling error. 

While durian is widely consumed across parts of Asia and often referred to as the “king of fruits”, it is not commonly eaten in South Korea, and many unsophisticated consumers are unfamiliar with its smell or flavour. In Korean social media and user complaints, the durian smell was specifically likened to "weird poop" or a pungent, lingering chemical, with some describing it as a "toilet" smell. 

The distributor added that all affected products have been fully recalled and replaced with correctly manufactured items, now back on sale.

I don't know what the big deal is because I had on occasion had the Gardenia QuickBites Durian Cream Roll (50g, RM1.20) and I didn't have any issue with it at all. 

Okay, maybe that's because I love durian and can't have enough of it! 

FYI, the actual flavour is best described as mild. I had wished for a stronger durian aftertaste but it was not to be!

China’s Tourists Turn Away From Japan to Southeast Asia

Ren Zihan, a resident of the northern Chinese city of Dalian, feels as if all her friends are vacationing in Southeast Asia lately. Pictures of durians and hawker food have filled her social media feed, the 32-year-old tells The Business Times. 

“It seems as if everyone is in Malaysia and Singapore at the moment”. 

Beyond the usual phenomenon of travellers seeking warmer destinations during the winter months, a new factor is pushing Chinese tourists south. Southeast Asia has been a popular destination for some time, but Chinese travellers are now flocking to the region in greater numbers. 

This follows the diplomatic spat last November between China and Japan. 

“There’s a dramatic shift under way”, notes Mayur Patel, commercial and industry affairs leader for the Asia-Pacific at aviation analytics firm OAG. “Aircraft freed from suspended Japan routes are being redeployed to Southeast Asian leisure destinations, where Chinese demand is holding up”.

FYI, Japan was a major destination for Chinese tourists – prior to Beijing unleashing a diplomatic and economic offensive against the country, freezing bilateral travel – these travellers made up a significant share of the arrivals in the country. From the start of 2025 to October, 8.2 million visitors – nearly one-quarter of Japan’s total arrivals – were from mainland China, based on OAG data. 

All that has changed. In January and February 2026, after the flight cancellations, one-way seat capacity from China to Japan fell by between 47 and 50 percent compared with the year-ago period. And flights from China to Southeast Asia experienced a significant increase in seat capacity – in the first two months of 2026, it rose about 15 to 20 percent year on year, indicates Alton Aviation data. 

In the wake of Beijing’s travel advisories, South Korea, Europe and Australia have also overtaken Japan as preferred destinations among the Chinese, based on survey data from China Trading Desk. 

But Southeast Asia’s combination of value, variety and accessibility makes the region particularly attractive to them, notes Edmund Ong, senior regional director for Southeast Asia at online travel agency Trip.com. 

Shorter flight times mean easier connectivity to the region, he adds. There is also a seasonal boost, as Southeast Asia’s warm climate is especially appealing during the colder Spring Festival period in China. 

Eric Zhu, Asia aviation and defence analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, agrees. “We do expect Chinese travellers to be budget-conscious this year, which favours the lower-cost, short-haul options found within Southeast Asia”. 

Within the region, some countries have received a stronger boost than others. In February 2026, the greatest year-on-year increases for flight bookings from China were to Vietnam (41 percent) and Malaysia (38 percent), according to OAG. 

Singapore’s and Malaysia’s popularity could also grow further, says China Trading Desk, whose survey found that the two countries have overtaken even South Korea in the list of destinations most respondents plan to visit. 

Interestingly, demand for regional travel has also diversified, with greater flight connectivity between Southeast Asian destinations allowing tourists to hop between cities or countries. Chinese tourists in the region have increasingly been drawn to what Trip.com calls “second-tier destinations”, the likes of which include Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia and Phu Quoc island in Vietnam. 

“They are taking longer trips and spreading their travel across multiple destinations, such as visiting Singapore and Malaysia in a single trip”, says Ong. 

And Vietnam is a key beneficiary, Patel of OAG observes. The country now boasts 51 route connections – including from secondary cities such as Danang and Phu Quoc – to other Southeast Asian destinations, up from 45 in 2019. 

For Japan, the economic consequences are considerable. Tourism accounted for 7.5 percent of Japan’s gross domestic product in 2024, or about 44.6 trillion yen, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). 

With China making up about 23 percent of all tourists to Japan in 2025, prior to November, a pullback from this major source will hurt overall GDP substantially. China Trading Desk’s Bhatt predicts that Japan will lose between $9 billion and $10.5 billion in revenue this year, compared with a scenario in which the diplomatic spat never happened. As for Southeast Asia, WTTC estimates that the tourism sector contributed $374 billion to the region’s combined GDP in 2024, or around 9.4 percent. 

Diverted Chinese demand could amplify this further. Bhatt believes that overall Chinese tourist spending may grow by 10.2 percent in 2026 to $280 billion, with about $35 billion of this spent within Southeast Asia. 

The region’s hospitality and tourism sector has been courting Chinese travellers for a while. On Trip.com – which originated as a travel agency for Chinese tourists – hotels can be filtered by “Chinese-friendly” offerings such as Mandarin-speaking service staff. Global hotel chain Hilton has integrated Chinese platforms into its booking processes. WeChat is offered as a payment option, and rooms are listed on Alibaba’s travel platform, Fliggy. 

“Mandarin-speaking team members in key gateway destinations also help to make stays more familiar and comfortable”, says Sebastien Kaeuffer, vice-president for Southeast Asia at Hilton. 

Let's hope the expanding interest in Southeast Asia stays because the region benefits economically. Especially Malaysia.

Pop Music's Bias Towards English is Diminishing

English language music is losing its stranglehold on the charts, according to new data from music streaming giant Spotify. 

The company say songs in 16 different languages, including Spanish, Korean, Portuguese, Turkish, Indonesian and Arabic, appeared in their Global Top 50 last year. That's more than double the figure from 2020. 

Bad Bunny, who sings exclusively in Spanish, was the most-streamed artist in the world. And Brit Award winner Rosalía sings in 14 dialects on her latest album, Lux. 

Spotify said Brazilian Funk was the fastest-growing genre in the world, with audiences up by 36%. K-Pop saw a 31% increase, and Trap Latino was up by 29%. 

All of those genres earned more than $100m in royalties from Spotify last year, the company said. English still dominates the charts, with 14 of last year's Top 20 best-selling albums sung exclusively in the language, according to the music industry body the IFPI. 

But South Korean bands such as Stray Kids, Enhypen and Seventeen all featured in the list, as did Japanese rock group Mrs Green Apple, as fans increasingly explore music outside the typical paradigms of rock and pop. 

According to a 2021 analysis of listening behaviour published in the journal Nature, this trend has been accelerating since 2017. Not coincidentally, that's the same year that streaming overtook CDs and vinyl as the music industry's biggest source of income.

Last week, Spotify's most-played chart included songs from Bad Bunny and Rauw Alejandro (Puerto Rico), Nadhif Basalamah (Indonesia), Tyla (South Africa), Tems (Nigeria), Ryan Castro (Colombia), El Bogueto, Peso Pluma, Neton Vega and Fuerza Regida (Mexico), Blackpink, Jung Kook and Jin (South Korea). 

Spotify's data was revealed as they announced their annual Loud And Clear report, which breaks down the global streaming economy. The streaming giant said they had paid $11bn in royalties to the music industry last year, up from $10bn in 2024. The figure makes it the highest-paying retailer globally, the company claimed. 

It is worth noting, however, that royalties distributed by Spotify don't necessarily go directly to musicians, with record labels, distributors, publishers, managers and songwriters often taking a cut.

At the Squash Australian Open semi-final yesterday, Sivasangari Subramaniam got the better of world No. 12 Nele Gilis, beating her 3-0: 11-8, 13-11, 11-4. 

And Malaysia's world No. 6 is just one match away from ending a 13-month title drought after storming into the final! 

Yoon Suk Yeol Gets Life in Prison

South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk Yeol (left) on Thursday has been given a life sentence due to insurrection after his short-lived martial law declaration in 2024. 

Yoon’s lawyers have vehemently argued that the ruling was not supported by evidence in the case and would discuss with their client if he wanted to appeal the guilty verdict. 

The Seoul Central Court also convicted former PM Han Duck-soo and handed him a 23-year prison sentence for attempting to legitimise the martial law decree by forcing it through a Cabinet Council meeting, falsifying records and lying under oath. 

And South Korea’s former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun has been sentenced to 30 years in prison over his role in the failed martial law attempt. 

Amnesty International called Yoon’s guilty verdict an “important step” towards accountability. 

Already, last month, Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison for resisting arrest, fabricating the martial law proclamation and sidestepping a legally mandated full cabinet meeting before declaring martial law. 

That's not the end of it because he still faces two more trials in relation to it.

Celtic face a mammoth task to keep their Europa League campaign alive after losing 4-1 at home to VfB Stuttgart in the first leg of the play-offs yesterday in Martin O'Neill's 1,000th managerial game.  I shouldn't surprised because they gave a low energy display.

A poor clearance from Kasper Schmeichel led to Celtic falling behind in the 15th minute. But Benjamin Nygren restored parity, taking advantage of a poor pass to round the goalkeeper before putting the ball into an empty net six minutes later. 

The Bundesliga side took the lead again when they headed a cross home, beating the Celtic goalkeeper for the second time in the 28th minute. 

Schmeichel was again culpable in the 57th minute, having misread a 20-yard shot which was fierce but not particularly well placed. His decision to scoop the ball away backfired as he only helped it into the net. 

And three minutes into stoppage time, Stuttgart netted once more. 

As the Celtic boss admitted: "We were masters of our own downfall"! Very true!

Chinese Varsities Dominate Global AI Rankings

Asian universities dominate global artificial intelligence (AI) rankings, with 18 of the world's top 20 institutions for AI education, according to the latest CS Rankings (essentially a data-driven assessment of the world’s leading computer science universities). 

In fact, the world's top 10 universities in AI are all based in Asia, with China taking eight places and Singapore and South Korea, one each. 

Within the top 20, Asian universities continue to outperform other regions, accounting for eight institutions ranked from 11th to 20th. The United States contributes only two universities to the top 20. 

The world’s top 20 universities for AI education as of January 31, 2026 are:

*PUB Publications

Unlike rankings such as Times Higher Education or QS, which rely heavily on reputation surveys and peer assessments, CSRankings evaluates institutions based on the volume of academic papers published and the number of faculty members contributing to top-tier conferences and journals. 

The publications counted span key sub-fields including artificial intelligence, computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, and web and information retrieval. 

The latest 2026 CSRankings evaluates more than 600 institutions worldwide across computer science and AI categories.

Five World Leaders Went to China in Just One Month

In just one month, five world leaders flocked to China! 

That was in January. They were South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. These high-level visits came as countries navigate tense US relations. 

It appears the US is not too happy about it. And their response? 👇

The US reaction on Monday was callow, childish, fatuous, immature, inane, infantile, jejune, juvenile, petty, puerile, trite. 🤮🤮🤮

Lest they forget, God created the world, but nearly everything else is made in China! 💪💪💪

And btw, that includes MAGA hats! 😂😂😂 

Celtic beat Falkirk 2-0 yesterday. Martin O'Neill has gone above and beyond, consistently exceeding expectations. He has racked up eight wins and a draw in nine Scottish Premiership games across his two rescue stints in charge. 

Tomas Cvancara took his goal superbly, glancing in a header from a Kieran Tierney cross in the 39th minute. And Benjamin Nygren combined with Callum McGregor to then sweep a shot towards the far corner in the 62nd minute. 

The Bairns contributed to an entertaining game, registering 14 shots at goal, but Celtic were more clinical.

The positive outcome promotes the green-and-white shirts into second place in the league, based on goals scored. 

[Celtic had gone into the match nine points behind leaders Hearts after the Jambos triumphed 3-0 at Dundee United on Saturday. And Rangers drew 0-0 against Hibernian the following day. Both the Old Firm sides are now six points behind the Tynecastle outfit after 24 games].

Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for ex-South Korean President

South Korean prosecutors have requested the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol (right), who is on trial for insurrection over his 2024 declaration of martial law in an alleged attempt to stay in power. 

In closing arguments at the Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday, the special prosecutor described 65-year-old Yoon as the “ringleader of an insurrection”, citing an investigation that reportedly found evidence that he had masterminded a scheme, dating back to 2023, to seize control of state functions. 

Yoon has denied the charges, insisting he was within his powers as president to declare martial law, citing a legislative gridlock and a supposed “rebellion” being plotted by pro-Pyongyang forces within the political opposition. 

The emergency martial law declared in December 2024 triggered immediate public protests and was overturned by parliament within a day. The surprise declaration – the first use of martial law in South Korea since 1980 – plunged the country into a constitutional crisis as hundreds of armed troops were briefly mobilized and dispatched to key state institutions, including the National Assembly, apparently to preempt parliamentary authority and block lawmakers from convening. Opponents denounced the decree as a dangerous overreach of executive power, and the National Assembly swiftly voted unanimously to overturn the order, forcing Yoon to lift it after roughly six hours. 

The move sparked large protests and calls for resignation from opposition leaders, and political chaos that ultimately culminated in a successful impeachment drive later that month. 

Yoon was arrested in January 2025 and formally removed from office by the Constitutional Court in April. He became the first sitting South Korean president to be detained and face criminal charges while in office. 

Although South Korean law allows for capital punishment in cases of insurrection, Seoul has not carried out an execution since 1997. Legal experts believe a life sentence is a more likely outcome for Yoon. 

The court will deliver their verdict in February.

At the 2026 India Badminton Open, Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan continued their strong momentum by brushing aside French duo Margot Lambert-Camille Pognante 21-7, 23-21 on Thursday to set up a last-eight clash with Taiwan's world No. 9 Hsieh Pei Shan-Hung En Tzu.

Mixue Expands Footprint in US

A second Chinese beverage brand – the first was Luckin Coffee – expands its footprint in the United States.  

Mixue, known for serving ice cream, pure tea, fruit tea, milk tea, and freshly brewed coffee, opened its first store in Los Angeles, California on December 19. 

“Mixue is actively advancing its global strategy. Given the substantial market potential in the United States, the first store serves as a starting point”, the company said in a statement. 

Located at 6922 Hollywood Blvd Suite 107, menu pricing lists the brand’s signature ice cream at $1.19, iced lemonade at $1.99, lattes at $2.99, and bubble tea starting at $3.99, with most items priced between $1.19 and $4.99. 

Mixue has expanded internationally over several years since opening its first overseas store in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2018. There are approximately 45,000 stores across mainland China and 4,700 stores across 13 other countries, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Its parent company, MIXUE Group, were included this year in Time magazine’s list of the “100 Most Influential Companies in the World", where they were the only restaurant chain recognized. 

“(They're) the biggest fast food chain you’ve likely never heard of – at least, if you live in the Western hemisphere", Time wrote. 

It was no "new year, new me" for Liverpool yesterday as they played out a dire 0-0 draw with relegation candidates Leeds United to kick off 2026 – with the same problems on show. 

Reds saw 66 percent of possession in a dominant first half, with nine shots on goal to Whites‘ two and 1.55xG, but their clinical edge was again lacking against a deep-sitting side determined to frustrate them.

Nothing consequential happened in the second half either; in fact, the English champs' performance went from bad to worse. Even the desperate introduction of two more attackers in Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha in the 79th and 84th minutes respectively did little to improve the Reds’ run of play.

And sure, there might have been boos at Anfield at full time but a point means Liverpool still sit fourth in the Premier League table.

The Hunt for Old LG ACs After Logos Turn Out to be Pure Gold

An old LG air-conditioner from more than two decades ago is suddenly the hottest commodity in South Korea right now, after a viral video showed that its brand logo is made of pure gold. 

This long-forgotten detail resurfaced after YouTuber Ringring Unni, a retail jewellery shop owner in Seoul, uploaded a video on December 11 that shows her appraising the six-letter “Whisen” logo pieces removed from an LG Electronics air-con model released in 2005.

In the video, the customer who brought the logo letters for appraisal said: “The logo was attached to the front of the air-conditioner, and it was advertised at the time as being made of gold”. 

After analysing the pieces, the YouTuber confirmed that they were indeed gold and offered an appraisal value of 713,000 won (RM1,973). All together, the six letters weighed just under one “don”, she told the client in the video. 

A “don” is a South Korean unit of gold weight equivalent to 3.75g. According to the Korea Standard Gold Exchange, one don of gold was quoted at 890,000 won on Wednesday. 

After the video went viral with more than one million views, another customer visited the jewellery shop on December 15 with another Whisen logo, which the YouTuber later featured in a follow-up video. In the second clip, the appraised value of the gold logo piece was 748,000 won. 

According to LG Electronics, a limited run of 10,000 Whisen air-cons bearing gold logos were sold in 2005, celebrating the brand’s position as the world’s top-selling air-con brand. 

Social media users have been buzzing over the video, prompting many to hunt for old Whisen air-cons. One person rightly wrote: “LG turned air-conditioners into a gold investment 20 years ago”!

Kimchi: No Longer Solely Korea’s

Kimchi (김치) is a traditional Korean dish made from fermented cabbage, radish, or cucumber. It is often categorized by the main vegetable ingredient used to make it. 

Kimchi is a staple food in Korean cuisine. It's an accompaniment to almost every meal in Korea, usually as a side-dish (banchan). It is said to be consumed daily by 95 percent of Koreans – 2 million tons annually.  

The most popular kimchi includes baechu kimchi (made with napa cabbage, 배추김치), kkakdugi (made with radish, 깍두기), and oi kimchi (made with cucumber, 오이김치). 

The "Korean Wave" (Hallyu, 한류) has made Korean cultural exports popular all over the world. Everything from K-pop to K-dramas and more. Including Korean food that has become familiar to us such as bibimbap, bulgogi, jjigae, tteokbokki, kan poong gi, and yes, kimchi.

As the home of kimchi, South Korea dominates global exports. In fact, global demand for Korean kimchi continues to grow, with exports on track to hit an all-time high in 2025. 

According to trade data released on November 24 by the Korea Customs Service, South Korea’s cumulative kimchi exports in 2025 reached $137.4 million as at October, up 2 percent from a year earlier.

And yet, kimchi’s place as a uniquely Korean dish is being threatened by China’s exploding exports of the spicy dish. Especially, to South Korea itself. 

The fact is, more South Koreans are consuming Chinese-made kimchi, making it very likely that South Korea will post a kimchi trade deficit. Persistent inflation and the 2024 surge in domestic cabbage prices, caused by extreme weather, have continued to push demand for cheaper Chinese-made kimchi. 

Imports of Chinese kimchi hit a record $189.86 million in 2024, up 16.1 percent from 2023. During the same 10-month period, imports amounted to $159.46 million, rising 3.1 percent and outpacing the 2 percent growth in exports. 

As a result, the kimchi trade balance so far in 2025 remains in the red, with the deficit widening 10.3 percent from a year ago to $22.07 million. 

In the meantime, shipments of Korean-made kimchi are expected to hit another record in 2025, surpassing 2024’s all-time high. Exports totalled $163.57 million in 2024, double the figure from 2017, and have steadily grown on the back of rising global interest in K-food and heightened health awareness during the Covid pandemic. They reached $148.12 million in 2022, $155.6 million in 2023, and then set a new record in 2024. 

Japan remains the largest market for Korean kimchi, importing $47.55 million worth as at October, a 4.4 percent increase from a year earlier. The United States brought in $36.01 million, a 5.8 percent decrease, which marks a notable shift for a market that had seen rapid growth since 2019. In Europe, the Netherlands imported $7.97 million, a 3.3 percent decline. Canada imported $7.63 million, up 17.6 percent, while Australia saw a slight increase to $6.68 million. 

Indeed, the world may be eating more Korean kimchi but South Korea is importing more of it from China!

World No. 7 Sivasangari Subramaniam saw her hopes of retaining the HKFC Squash Open title dashed yesterday after falling to world No. 11 Fayrouz Aboelkheir of Egypt in the final. 

The top seed was beaten 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 11-4 in just 36 minutes – her second defeat to Fayrouz in four meetings. 

Sivasangari will now aim to bounce back at next week's Hong Kong Open.

International Students Are Turning Away From The West

The US, UK, Australia and Canada, long considered the “Big Four” destinations for international students, are steadily losing their dominance as visa rules tighten and new education hubs rise across Asia and the Middle East. 

Recent data show dramatic declines in international enrollment in the traditional hubs: Canada has seen a 60% drop in incoming students this year, the steepest since the Covid pandemic, while the US and Australia's both fell by nearly 20%. Only the UK managed to hold relatively steady. 

Before Covid-19, students from major markets like China and India overwhelmingly chose one of these four countries. But that picture has changed. 

According to a joint report by Studyportals and the British Council analyzing 51 million prospective students, demand for study abroad in Japan and China has surged, while Malaysia and India also show strong growth. 

"The global market for academic talent is as dynamic and complex as it has ever been", said Edwin van Rest, CEO and co-founder of Studyportals, as cited in the report. "International students have proven to be of broad and unique contribution to their host countries, and some upcoming destinations are effectively making use of the current market situation to advance talent attraction". 

In the same report, Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA-Association of International Educators, added, "Amid sweeping political shifts in the US, this survey offers a powerful snapshot... The message is unmistakable: international students are paying attention and increasingly turning away from the traditional ‘Big Four’ destinations in search of stability, opportunity, and affordability. It is really about the ‘Big Ten’ now". 

Experts say Asia and the Middle East–North Africa are not only keeping more of their local students, but also attracting learners from abroad, a sign of a broader realignment in global higher education. 

Tightened visa and immigration rules have accelerated that shift. Australia and Canada have capped foreign-student numbers, the UK now bans most master’s students from bringing dependents, and the US has added stricter visa checks, including social media reviews. 

Rising tuition and living costs in the West have only pushed more students toward culturally familiar and affordable options closer to home. 

Among the fastest-rising markets is Hong Kong, where up to half of non-local students can receive government subsidies. Investment in higher education has also boosted universities there in global rankings. Other ascendant destinations include Ireland, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, the UAE and Vietnam.

Top seeds Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan cruised into the quarter-finals of the Kumamoto Masters after dispatching South Korea's world No. 20 Jeong Na Eun-Lee Yeon Woo 21-14, 21-9 today. 

The world No. 2 were dominant throughout the 31-minute encounter, extending their flawless head-to-head record against the Koreans to 4-0 this season.

All Hail Emperor Trump!

South Korea gifted US President Donald Trump a regal crown and a coveted medal in a brazen show of unadulterated flattery during his visit to the country Wednesday. 

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung presented his US counterpart with a replica of a golden crown worn by the kings of Silla, the dynasty that ruled from 57 BC to 935 AD, as well as the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, South Korea’s highest decoration. The honor was given to Trump for his efforts to bring peace between North and South Korea. 

Finally, Trump gets his very own crown! To me, it is more than an acknowledgement ‒ it's also a confirmation of Trump's path to ascension as Emperor of the United States! 😂😂😂