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Special counsel again seeks death penalty for ex-President Yoon over martial law

A special counsel team on Thursday sought the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol during his appeal trial on insurrection charges stemming from his failed attempt to impose martial law. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team requested the sentence during proceedings at the Seoul High Court, eight months after a lower court sentenced Yoon to life imprisonment for staging a riot through his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. "There is no reason to hesitate to hand down the death penalty," a member of the team said. "The strongest argument for objection to the death penalty is the possibility of a misjudgment just in case, but in this case, there is no room for that." Yoon declared martial law with the stated aim of eradicating anti-state forces, though the order was lifted six hours later by a vote by the National Assembly. During those six hours, troops were deployed to the National Assembly compound, which the lower court ruled in February was an attempt to paralyze parliament and arrest key politicians. "The commander in chief who had sworn to abide by the Constitution

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Samsung Electronics' Q3 dividend jumps 12-fold to $22.5 bil.

Samsung Electronics will pay out 30 trillion won ($22.5 billion) in dividends for the third quarter, increasing its dividend per share more than 12-fold in a move to address the mismatch between its sluggish share price and record-breaking earnings performance. During a board meeting on Thursday, Samsung Electronics approved a quarterly dividend of 4,601 won per share for both common and preferred shares, more than 12 times its quarterly payout of around 370 won per share in the first and second quarters. The dividend will be paid on Nov. 27. "We are aware of market interest in the price gap between its common and preferred shares, and will actively consider adjusting the proportion of preferred shares in its buyback and cancellation programs based on market conditions," Samsung said. The company said that of its planned 90 trillion won to 110 trillion won in shareholder returns for 2026, between 55 trillion won and 75 trillion won has yet to be distributed or committed. It plans to return the remaining amount through cash dividends and substantial share buybacks and cancellations. The p

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Cover Story

Itaewon, October 2022: importance of memory

I was in Itaewon on the night of Oct. 28, 2022, taking photos. The following night, I learned from my deputy at the Mexican Embassy about the tragedy that had just happened. He went as close as he could to the scene and kept in contact with the police all night, trying to find out if any Mexican nationals were among the victims and reporting to me regularly until dawn. As the number of dead rose, eventually reaching 159, I grieved deeply, as did the Korean people and the foreign families who lost loved ones. How could that happen? I knew the reason, because I was there the night before: too many people in such small streets and alleys and no crowd management at all. The following year, before the first anniversary, I examined the 280 pictures I had taken until 1 a.m. What I saw were young people parading in sheer happiness and excitement, joyful at taking pictures and being photographed. I have lived in the United States and knew about the aesthetic of Halloween, where “everyone is entitled to one good scare,” as Ray Bradbury wrote. The horror theme was certainly there in Itaewon. Ho

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Gov't to designate new housing zones for over 76,000 homes near Seoul

The government plans to designate six new public housing zones in Gyeonggi Province, surrounding Seoul, to build more than 76,700 homes as part of efforts to boost the housing supply, the land ministry said Thursday. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the six candidate sites as a follow-up to its August plan to supply 100,000 new homes. The proposed sites are located in Gimpo, Guri, Hanam, Uijeongbu and Goyang in Gyeonggi Province, all within 5 kilometers of Seoul's boundaries and offering relatively easy access to the capital. The ministry said the sites are located in greenbelt areas where environmental conservation value has already been diminished, making them suitable for systematic development. Land Minister Hong Jee-sun stressed the need to expand the housing supply in areas favored by young people and newlyweds, pledging government support to accelerate construction.

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Special counsel team moves local election ballots to storage from handball arena

A special counsel team on Thursday moved boxes of ballot papers out of a handball arena where they had been kept since June's local elections as part of its investigation into ballot shortages on election day. Special counsel Lee Tae-han's team removed the ballot boxes from the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in southeastern Seoul after conducting an on-site inspection of the 2.47 million ballots for more than 12 hours until past midnight, according to the National Election Commission (NEC), the state election watchdog. Lee's team has been investigating an unprecedented shortage of ballots that occurred on the day of the June 3 local elections, which forced some people to turn back without casting their votes. All 2.47 million ballots, which had been cast in the southeastern Songpa Ward, were inspected by the special counsel team and placed in some 420 boxes, of which all but 13 were taken to a storage facility managed by the NEC in the capital area, a commission official said. In accordance with the election law, those ballots will be stored for the duration of the elected officials' te

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InterviewGrades matter less than motivation in AI era, HKU vice-president says

HONG KONG — When asked how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing higher education, Jay S. Siegel, vice president of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), began by challenging the premise of the question. “I don’t think that higher education is moving beyond content delivery and into critical thinking,” he said during an interview with The Korea Times on the university’s campus. Siegel, who also serves as pro-vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, argued that leading universities have always sought to develop independent thinkers. What concerns him more is whether universities place too much emphasis on grades and examinations rather than encouraging students to develop a lasting desire to learn. “Motivation is more important than assessment,” he said. Siegel believes examinations are valuable primarily because they encourage students to study, rather than because of the grades they produce. Preparing for a test requires students to read, think and engage with material, and that effort may matter more than the eventual score. A student who studies diligently but receives

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Lee's approval rating rises to 46%: poll

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rose to 46 percent this week, surpassing his disapproval rating for the first time in nearly two months, a biweekly poll showed Thursday. In a survey of 1,000 adults nationwide conducted Monday through Wednesday, positive assessments of Lee's job performance rose 2 percentage points from two weeks earlier, according to the National Barometer Survey (NBS). Negative assessments fell 5 percentage points to 44 percent. Lee's approval rating last exceeded his disapproval rating in late August, when positive assessments stood at 50 percent. It then fell to a record low of 43 percent for two consecutive surveys in mid-September and the first week of October, before rising to 44 percent in the previous poll. Support for the ruling Democratic Party rose 3 percentage points to 36 percent, while that of the main opposition People Power Party fell 3 percentage points to 25 percent. When asked whether Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae should be impeached, 34 percent of respondents supported his impeachment, while 45 percent opposed it. In recent weeks, so

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US visa troubles for Korean lawmakers 'very unusual': ex-US diplomat

SEATTLE — A former U.S. diplomat said it is "very unusual" for Korean lawmakers to have their official visits disrupted by visa complications, suggesting that stricter interpretations of U.S. immigration rules may be behind the recent difficulties. Henry Haggard, a former minister counselor for political affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul who now heads a Washington D.C.-based geopolitical advisory firm, said additional screening for applicants with criminal records is normal, but such procedures have historically rarely prevented senior officials from traveling to the United States on official business. "It is normal for any official or citizen with a criminal record — Korean or otherwise — to have to go through a more complex application process, but it is very unusual for such additional processing to lead to lawmakers or those traveling for official business to have to cancel their trip or to get refused," Haggard told The Korea Times on Wednesday. His comments came after Rep. Jin Sung-joon, chair of the National Assembly's defense committee, disclosed that his U.S. visa appl

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Seoul stocks down 3% late Thursday morning after weaker-than-expected Samsung earnings

South Korean stocks traded 3 percent lower late Thursday morning, reversing earlier gains as Samsung Electronics delivered weaker-than-expected third-quarter earnings. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 181.1 points, or 3.01 percent, to 5,831.34 as of 11:20 a.m., after rising as high as 6,100.11. The index opened slightly higher, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street after the Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady at 3.75-4 percent. The market turned lower shortly before 10 a.m., following the release of Samsung's third-quarter earnings, which fell slightly short of analysts' expectations. The world's largest memory chipmaker reported a record third-quarter operating profit of 107.44 trillion won, up 783.1 percent from a year earlier, while revenue surged 126.9 percent to 195.25 trillion won, on robust artificial intelligence (AI)-driven chip demand. Market heavyweights traded mixed. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics fell 6.61 percent, while chip giant SK hynix increased 0.4 percent. Battery maker LG Energy Solution dipped 9.76 percent after

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Korean traditional arts take center stage on European tour

Korea’s traditional rhythms, masked dances and epic storytelling are heading to European stages next month in a three-country tour designed to bring the energy of its intangible cultural heritage to international audiences. The National Intangible Heritage Center, under the Korea Heritage Service, said Thursday that “K-Intangible Heritage Festival: Pungjang Korea” would stage performances in Budapest on Wednesday, Podgorica on Nov. 8 and Ankara on Nov. 13. More than 20 performers, including practitioners of nationally recognized intangible heritage and contemporary artists, will combine traditional music, dance and theatrical performance in a production making its European debut. The tour is intended to raise the international profile of Korean cultural heritage while introducing audiences unfamiliar with its traditional arts to the exuberance and communal spirit at the heart of these performances. The program unfolds across four scenes, opening with “Mungut,” a ritual that launches the performance, followed by “Saemgut,” which invokes life and well-being. “Jisinbapgi” d

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At least 68 dead in Spain's second major train crash this year

URDA, Spain — At least 68 people died when two Spanish high-speed trains collided on Wednesday, with rescuers scouring the wreckage for more bodies after Spain's second deadly rail accident this year and Europe's deadliest since 2013. Spain's transport minister said Wednesday's crash south of Madrid occurred after a Renfe train was authorised to continue its journey despite there being an active red signal because of a stationary train on the track ahead. Oscar Puente told reporters in Madrid that the red signal was issued due to a computer communications failure, which automatically stopped traffic, and an erroneous decision had been made to restart the Renfe train, in a breach of protocol. Ambulances, funeral home vans and helicopters were parked next to one of the trains on an elevated section of track, while twisted metal, broken panels and wreckage were strewn across an embankment down which at least three carriages had plunged. Rescuers looking for more victims Evacuated passengers streamed along a nearby road. Some were splattered with blood or had bandaged wounds, while others w

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EVs on path to overcome chasm in Korea

Korea’s electric vehicle (EV) market is showing clear signs of crossing the chasm before mass adoption, as lower-cost models and surging fuel expenses make EVs increasingly attractive to consumers. The trend is seen in the increasing demand for used EVs. Their growing popularity could also help ease concerns over resale values — which was considered one of the longstanding obstacles blocking widespread EV adoption. As demand strengthens and prices stabilize, prospective buyers may become less wary of losing money when selling their vehicles, potentially supporting further growth in new EV sales. According to K Car, the country’s major used car sales platform, used all-electric cars took an average of 81 percent as long to sell as internal combustion engine vehicles during the January-September period. In other words, used EVs sold 19 percent faster than their gasoline- and diesel-powered counterparts. EVs also accounted for a share of K Car’s total used car sales that was approximately 32 percent higher than a year earlier during the same period, indicating that consumer interest

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Korean tech helps uncover ancient Hellenistic city in Turkey

A joint excavation between Korea and Turkey at an archeological site in central Turkey, has uncovered a sprawling Hellenistic urban complex and rare mosaic flooring dating back to around 2000 B.C., the Korea Heritage Service said on Wednesday, adding that the landmark discovery was possible due to Korea’s advanced technologies in architecture. Kultepe served as the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kanesh and a major trading hub for Assyrian merchants, yielding some of the earliest known written records from Anatolia. The newly identified structure and mosaic floor could provide new insights into the lesser-known Hellenistic history of the ancient settlement. Kultepe-Kanesh has been on Turkey's UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2014. Turkish experts took a note of Korean researchers who used digital scanning and precise documentation technologies to analyze pottery fragments with unprecedented speed and accuracy. "The Korean team is exceptionally thorough and organized," said Fikri Kulakoglu, a professor at Ankara University who leads joint international research teams, durin

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US sanctions N. Korean network accused of defrauding businesses

The United States imposed sanctions on Wednesday to target what the Treasury Department said were North Korean government-run schemes that use IT workers to defraud U.S. businesses and generate revenue for Pyongyang's weapons programs. The Treasury Department said the schemes involve North Korean IT workers fraudulently gaining employment with companies in the United States and elsewhere, and Pyongyang taking most of the workers' wages to fund its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. "These networks permeate through the global financial system, necessitating a unified response to match the threat," the department said in a statement, adding that Australia and the European Union also imposed North Korea-related sanctions this month. North Korea's mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The sanctions come as U.S. President Donald Trump has been eager to jump-start talks with North Korea, but Pyongyang has shown little interest in diplomacy aimed at containing its nuclear program. However, earlier this month Trum

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French food brands target health-conscious Koreans at Seoul showcase

French food and beverage brands gathered in Seoul to court health-conscious Korean consumers, with a record 19 companies taking part in Business France’s Food Experience 2026 exhibition at the French ambassador’s residence and the Kim Chung-up Pavilion, Monday. Now in its fifth year, Food Experience is a business-to-business event connecting French companies with Korean importers, distributors and food service industry professionals. Coinciding with the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year, the event featured a record 19 brands, presenting a wide range of products, from those already available in Korea to brands yet to enter the market. A particular focus this year was on companies from Occitania, a major food-producing region in southern France with diverse landscapes stretching from the Mediterranean coast to the Pyrenees and inland agricultural areas. Among them was beverage brand Gopy, which showcased ginger drinks positioned as a milder alternative to Korean ginger. "In France, it is now like a fashion," Anisa Maleck, Gopy's export manage

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BLACKPINK, late Shin Hae-chul to receive top government arts awards

From global K-pop stars to rock pioneers and beloved television personalities, Korea is honoring generations of entertainers whose work has helped shape its popular culture, with BLACKPINK and the late singer Shin Hae-chul among this year’s recipients of the country’s highest government awards for the arts. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in partnership with the Korea Creative Content Agency, will hold the 17th Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards at the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul, Thursday, recognizing 36 individuals and groups for their contributions to the industry. Ten recipients will receive cultural medals, while seven individuals or groups will receive presidential commendations, eight will receive prime ministerial commendations and 11 will receive commendations from the culture minister. Shin, who helped popularize Korean rock through his experimental music and his band N.EX.T, will receive the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit, one of the country’s major cultural honors. The legendary rocker died unexpectedly in 2014 at age 46 due to medical

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Biz sentiment rises to over 4-year high in Oct. on improved outlook: BOK

South Korea's business sentiment rose to a more than four-year high in October, driven by solid confidence in manufacturing and an improved outlook in nonmanufacturing, a central bank survey showed Thursday. The Composite Business Sentiment Index (CBSI) for all industries stood at 104.2 in October, up 5.1 points from the previous month, according to data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). The reading marked the highest level since August 2022, when the index recorded 105.5 after the COVID-19 pandemic. The index measures corporate outlooks on overall business conditions, with a reading below 100 indicating that pessimists outnumber optimists. "Increased investment and production in major sectors, including semiconductors, automobiles and shipbuilding, boosted related upstream industries," a BOK official said. "A strengthening Korean won also helped local firms ease the financial burden of purchasing imported raw materials." The CBSI among manufacturers climbed 6.1 points on-month to 105.6 in October, marking the highest point in more than four years since June 2022, when the reading stood at 10

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Young farmer turns job loss into smart farming success

On Oct. 7, Wooriga Green Farm, a cherry tomato smart farm in Seobuk District in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, was filled with rows of tomato vines stretching nearly to the greenhouse ceiling. Ripe red tomatoes hung in clusters along both sides of the aisles. They were the last fruits of the summer growing season. The farm’s owner, Woo Min-jae, 32, is considered one of the region’s leading young farmers. He worked for a subcontractor of a major company in the Seoul metropolitan area from 2017 until late 2019, but lost his job when the factory relocated to China. Six years after leaving his job, Woo has transformed himself into a full-fledged farmer, operating a greenhouse operation covering 1,900 square meters. His farm generated 150 million won ($110,000) in revenue last year. Young people like Woo are becoming increasingly scarce in rural areas. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics, the rural farming population plunged from a little over 3 million in 2010 to just over 2 million in 2024. Over the same period, the proportion of farmers aged 65 and older surged fro

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Editor's Pick

[COVER STORY] Coupang issue becomes bellwether for Korea's treatment of US firms: ex-AMCHAM chief

COVER STORY Coupang issue becomes bellwether for Korea's treatment of US firms: ex-AMCHAM chief

Korea risks damaging its economic ties with the United States, as perceived discrimination against American companies, most prominently Coupang, fuels a growing backlash in Washington that U.S. firms are being unfairly targeted, said Tami Overby, a former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM). “Many American observers increasingly see Korea's treatment of Coupang as a bellwether for how it treats successful American firms operating in its market,” Overby said Monday in a written interview with The Korea Times. After nearly four decades of observing Korea-U.S. economic ties, Overby said Washington is increasingly doubting whether Seoul remains committed to the principle of nondiscriminatory treatment for American businesses. She cautioned that mounting regulatory disputes could erode the trust underpinning bilateral economic cooperation at a critical time when the two countries are negotiating major investment commitments and U.S. tariffs. “Credibility depends not on statements but on outcomes,” she said, arguing that Korean authorities must demonstrate t

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Life in Korea

Seoul rallies 1,486 volunteers to clean up Han River parks

Seoul rallies 1,486 volunteers to clean up Han River parks

More than 1,400 people joined forces across Seoul’s Han River parks this month, picking up litter, learning recycling rules and promoting bicycle safety in a city campaign to keep its popular riverside spaces clean and safe. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday that 1,486 citizens, corporate employees and volunteers took part in three Fall Hangang Volunteer Day events held at Ichon, Ttukseom and Yeouido Hangang parks between Oct. 13 and Oct. 24. The campaign, organized under the theme “Keep Hangang clean, keep Hangang safe,” combined litter pick-up with environmental education and public safety programs. The first event, held Oct. 13 at Ichon Hangang Park, brought together 50 corporate volunteers who collected trash along park walkways. The second gathering, on Oct. 17 at Ttukseom Hangang Park, drew 95 participants for litter collection and campaigns promoting environmental awareness and safe park use. Yeouido Hangang Park hosted the largest event on Saturday, attracting 1,341 people, including children and adults who took part in environmental missions and quizzes about

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Lifestyle

Korean mother-of-pearl lacquerware exhibition draws 16,000 visitors overseas

An exhibition exploring the intricate designs and techniques behind Korea’s mother-of-pearl lacquerware has drawn more than 16,000 visitors during a two-year international tour across the United States, Canada and Japan, introducing audiences abroad to a traditional craft shaped by generations of artisans. The Seoul Museum of Craft Art said Wednesday that its special exhibition, “The Design Room of Najeon Masters,” concluded its overseas run Saturday after stops in Los Angeles, Ottawa, Tokyo and Osaka in 2025 and 2026. The exhibition attracted 7,556 visitors in North America and 8,427 in Japan, according to the museum, with more than 90 percent of respondents to visitor satisfaction surveys describing it as an opportunity to discover the beauty and depth of Korean traditional crafts. The exhibition examines "najeonchilgi," the Korean art of decorating lacquerware with thin pieces of iridescent mother-of-pearl, through designs, tools and finished works by six modern and contemporary masters: Jeon Seong-gyu, Kim Bong-ryong, Song Ju-an, Sim Bu-gil, Min Jong-tae and Kim Tae-hee. Origin

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Korean mother-of-pearl lacquerware exhibition draws 16,000 visitors overseas

K-Culture

Virtual idol group PLAVE hits No. 31 on Billboard 200

Korean virtual idol group PLAVE has achieved its highest-ever ranking on the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart with its latest release. The band's fifth EP, "Hyperdrive," debuted at No. 31 on the Billboard 200, according to the latest chart released Tuesday (U.S. time). The result surpassed the group's previous best ranking of No. 145, set by its fourth EP, "Caligo Pt. 2," in May, which marked PLAVE's first appearance on the chart. Released Oct. 19, "Hyperdrive" also sold more than 1.32 million copies in Korea during its first week, setting a new sales record for the group. Elsewhere on the chart, the original soundtrack for the hit Netflix animation "KPop Demon Hunters" and Katseye's "Wild" placed at No. 35 and No. 39, respectively. BTS' fifth full-length album, "Arirang," ranked 46th, down five spots from the previous week, extending its run on the chart to a 31st consecutive week. Stray Kids' "This & That" placed 93rd. On the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, "Dracula," a collaborative single by Jennie of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK and Australian act Tame Impala, ranked at No. 8, spending

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Virtual idol group PLAVE hits No. 31 on Billboard 200

Celebrities

Seungri already married to pregnant girlfriend: report

Former BIGBANG member Seungri, who is reportedly expecting his first child, has already legally married his pregnant girlfriend, according to a report. Ilgan Sports reported Tuesday that Seungri and his wife, who is pregnant, have registered their marriage and are legally married. The report came a day after Gray News reported that Seungri's girlfriend, who is in her 20s, is expecting a baby boy in January next year. The news that Seungri is set to become a father drew public attention, with the revelation that the couple had already registered their marriage emerging later. As news of the expected birth broke before any announcement of marriage, speculation arose that the couple had conceived before marriage. Seungri denied the speculation, saying he was not considering holding a wedding ceremony at this time. The couple is reportedly preparing for the birth. The news of Seungri's marriage and impending fatherhood has drawn additional attention as he recently faced a complaint over alleged special assault. In August, Seungri was accused of threatening a man with a soju bottle and assaulti

1 MIN READ
Seungri already married to pregnant girlfriend: report

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Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. Call of Duty game under fire for using real Itaewon crowd crush footage

  2. REPORTER’S NOTEBOOKLee's 'migrant workers don't contribute much' remarks fall short of embracing Korea's growing diversity

  3. US visa troubles for Korean lawmakers 'very unusual': ex-US diplomat

  4. COVER STORY Itaewon, October 2022: importance of memory

  5. '44 minutes before rescuers reached her': Families view footage of foreign Itaewon victims' last moments

  6. Korea-US annual security meeting pushed to early 2027

  7. Samsung Electronics' Q3 dividend jumps 12-fold to $22.5 bil.

  8. At least 68 dead in Spain's second major train crash this year

  9. US Fed keeps rates unchanged despite elevated inflation, gives little signal of next move

  10. InterviewGrades matter less than motivation in AI era, HKU vice-president says

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