News
South Korea Summons Russian Ambassador As Tensions Rise With North Korea
SEOUL, South Korea — On Friday, South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador to protest the country’s new defense pact with North Korea, as border tensions remained high due to vague threats and brief, seemingly accidental incursions by North Korean forces.
Earlier Friday, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un issued a vague threat of retaliation after South Korean activists flew balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets across the border, while South Korea’s military said it fired warning shots the day before to repel North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the rivals’ land border for the third time this month.
Korea AP Image
South Korea Summons Russian Ambassador As Tensions Rise With North Korea
That happened two days after Moscow and Pyongyang signed an agreement promising mutual defense aid if either was attacked, and a day after, Seoul responded by stating that it would consider giving armaments to Ukraine to combat Russia’s incursion.
South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun summoned Russian Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev to denounce the agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un and urged Moscow to immediately suspend its purported military collaboration with Pyongyang.
Kim, the South Korean official, emphasized that any collaboration that directly or indirectly assists the North in developing its military capabilities would violate United Nations Security Council resolutions, represent a threat to South Korean security, and warned of the ramifications for Seoul’s relations with Moscow.
According to Russia’s embassy’s X account, Zinoviev told Korean officials that any attempts to “threaten or blackmail” Russia were inappropriate and that his country’s agreement with North Korea was not intended for specific third nations. The South Korean ministry said Zinoviev agreed to relay Seoul’s concerns to his superiors in Moscow.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reminded Russia and referenced U.N. Security Council sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the country’s official name, which prohibits all countries from supplying the DPRK with material for nuclear or ballistic missile programs.
“Any relationship that any country has with the DPRK, including the Russian Federation, must entirely abide by those sanctions,” he told reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Leafleting activities by South Korean citizen activists in recent weeks have resulted in a resurgence of Cold War-style psychological warfare along the inter-Korean border.
South Korean civilian activists led by North Korean defector Park Sang-Hak claimed to have sent 20 balloons with 300,000 propaganda leaflets, 5,000 USB sticks containing South Korean pop music and TV dramas, and 3,000 US dollars from the South Korean border town of Paju on Thursday night.
In a statement released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency, Kim Yo Jong, one of her brother’s top foreign policy officials, referred to the campaigners as “defector scum” and threatened punishment.
“When you do something you were clearly warned not to do, it’s only natural that you will find yourself dealing with something you didn’t have to,” she said, without mentioning what the North might do.
Following previous leafleting by South Korean activists, North Korea released over 1,000 balloons into South Korea, dropping tonnes of rubbish, destroying roof tiles and windows, and causing other property damage. Kim Yo Jong suggested that balloons could become the North’s routine response to leafleting, stating that the North would retaliate by “scattering dozens of times more rubbish than is being scattered on us.”
In response, South Korea resumed anti-North Korean propaganda broadcasts with military loudspeakers deployed at the border for the first time in years, prompting Kim Yo Jong to issue another official media statement warning that Seoul was “creating a prelude to a very dangerous situation.”
Tensions between the Koreas have reached their greatest point in years, as Kim Jong Un advances nuclear weapons and missile development and seeks to bolster his regional position by uniting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a standoff with the US-led West.
South Korea, a rising arms exporter with a well-equipped military backed by the United States, has said it is considering increasing its support for Ukraine in response. Seoul has previously supplied humanitarian aid and other assistance while supporting the US-led economic sanctions against Russia. However, it has not directly provided weaponry, citing a long-standing policy of not sending weapons to countries actively involved in conflict.
South Korea Summons Russian Ambassador As Tensions Rise With North Korea
Putin told reporters in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Thursday that delivering arms to Ukraine would be “a very big mistake,” and that South Korea “shouldn’t worry” about the pact if it isn’t plotting an attack on Pyongyang.
According to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry, Minister Cho Tae-yul spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa separately on Friday to discuss the new accord. According to Cho’s ministry, the diplomats agreed that the pact poses a major danger to regional peace and stability and pledged to deepen trilateral coordination to address the challenges posed by Moscow and Pyongyang’s alignment.
North Korea is particularly sensitive to criticism of Kim’s dictatorial regime and attempts to reach its people through global news and other media.
When South Korea resumed loudspeaker broadcasts in 2015 for the first time in 11 years, North Korea launched artillery rounds across the border, leading South Korea to respond, according to South Korean officials. There were no casualties reported.
South Korea’s military said there are indicators that North Korea is placing its speakers near the border, albeit they are not yet operational.
In the most recent border incident, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said that several North Korean soldiers engaged in undefined construction work temporarily breached the military demarcation line that separates the two countries around 11 a.m. Thursday.
South Korea Summons Russian Ambassador As Tensions Rise With North Korea
The South Korean military issued a warning and fired warning shots, prompting the North Korean soldiers to retreat. The joint chiefs did not immediately provide any information, such as why the material was released a day late.
South Korea’s military believes recent border incursions were unintentional, as North Korean soldiers did not return fire and left after the warning shots.
The South’s military has spotted the North sending massive numbers of soldiers on the front lines to construct suspected anti-tank barriers, reinforce roads, and place mines in an apparent attempt to bolster their side of the border. Seoul says the actions are intended to deter North Korean people and military from fleeing to the South.
SOURCE – (AP)
LAS VEGAS — He initially competed for the United States Olympic squad at 19. He did it again in his twenties, twice. And now, just a few months shy of turning 40, he’s back for one more run.
LeBron James didn’t need another Olympic experience to fill a gap on his CV or add to a legacy established long before. He chose to play this summer for one simple reason: he wanted to.
James took his first steps toward becoming the first American men’s basketball player to compete in the Olympics in three decades on Saturday, joining the team that will represent the United States at the Paris Games later this month. Training camp began in Las Vegas, marking the start of a 5-1/2-week quest in which the only acceptable outcome is the United States winning gold for the fifth time in a row.
Lebron James | AP news Image
Back For A 4th Olympics Run, LeBron James Says Gold Is All That Matters
“I’m still playing at a high level,” James, a three-time Olympic medalist (two golds and one bronze), said Saturday following the first exercise. “I still enjoy the game of basketball. And Team USA has done well for me, so I felt it was vital for this summer to be able to go out there and play with the rest of the guys.”
The inaugural session occurred on the same day as another first for the James family: the Los Angeles Lakers first game in the California Classic summer league, which included Bronny James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, making his professional debut.
James could have easily requested Day 1 off to attend his son’s debut. It was never considered. He onto the court shortly after the busses arrived, slapping hands with teammates, throwing down dunks, and reuniting with two of his former coaches, Erik Spoelstra and Tyronn Lue, who both won NBA championships with James on their teams.
“I was blown away by how hard he practices,” US coach Steve Kerr stated. “I went to Ty and Spo and asked, ‘Is this normal?’ And they replied, “Every day, every day.” And then I asked Spo, “What about way back when you got him?” And Spo replied, ‘Every day, drill, walkthrough.'”
Kerr has coached against James in four NBA Finals, all featuring Golden State guard Stephen Curry, who plays for Kerr’s Warriors and will make his Olympic debut this summer.
“I’ve talked to both of them about this idea of being together after going against one another with such high stakes over the years,” Mr. Kerr said. “They go nicely together. The thought of Steph playing off the ball and LeBron pushing it in transition is interesting. Steph will play on the ball as well. And LeBron has improved his shooting, but they both excel in many aspects of the game. “I believe they’re excited to compete for the first time.”
James was a member of the United States team that won bronze medals at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the 2006 World Championships (now known as the World Cup) in Japan. Since then, the Americans have gone undefeated when James wears USA across his chest in international play.
Since the bronze medal game in Japan 18 years ago, the United States has played 36 games with James in uniform, including 10 at the FIBA Americas tournament in 2007, four exhibitions before and eight games at the 2008 Beijing Games, and five additional exhibitions and eight games at the 2012 London Games. The record is 36-0. He aspires to finish 47-0 this summer.
Lebron James | AP News Image
Back For A 4th Olympics Run, LeBron James Says Gold Is All That Matters
“I’m here to have a good summer,” James stated.
Even though he will not participate in Rio de Janeiro or Tokyo, James will compete in his fourth Olympics, tying the record for the most by a US men’s player. Only Carmelo Anthony has appeared in four Olympics for the United States men’s team; Kevin Durant will do the same this summer.
That’s a great side note, but it’s different from what James thinks about right now.
“Our only goal,” he told me, “is to win a gold medal.”
SOURCE – (AP)
On Saturday afternoon, Environment Canada issued a heat warning for British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver and Alberta’s Edmonton, and Calgary cities.
A heat warning will remain in place until about the middle of next week, according to the weather service, because of the moderate risk to public health, Environment Canada reported.
“Very high temperatures are on the horizon starting Sunday,” Environment Canada warned in a press statement, citing a developing ridge of high pressure over the area.
The highs during the day will be in the low to mid-30s. Daytime highs will reach the upper 20s when you’re close to the water. Lows throughout the night will drop to about 17 degrees. By the middle of next week, the scorching weather should start to cool off, though when exactly that will happen is still up in the air.
Cooling Centers in Vancouver
With the installation of cooling centers, the City of Vancouver would like to remind its citizens.
“Anyone is welcome to cool down and rehydrate at one of these centers, and some will even allow well-behaved pets,” the city announced.
“Anyone can find a cool place to relax in the shade at any of the City’s other community centers, on plazas with coverings from the elements, or under the shade of trees, umbrellas, or awnings at parks or beaches.”
Next week’s temperatures in Alberta might reach 35C or higher, prompting Environment Canada to issue heat advisories for the province. Areas in northern, central, and southern Alberta, including High Level, Edmonton, and Calgary, are currently under the alerts.
By Sunday, the province can anticipate “extremely warm temperatures” brought on by a developing upper ridge, according to meteorologists.
Daytime Temperature to rise
A weather notice states that many sections of Alberta may expect daytime highs of near 30 C on Sunday, which will gradually rise to near 35 C by Wednesday.
“Downturns into the teens for the night won’t cool things down much.”
Residents of Alberta who live in the hotspots should stay indoors, avoid going outside as much as possible, and reschedule any outside activities they have planned. In order to prevent heat stroke and heat exhaustion, people should drink lots of water and other non-alcoholic, caffeine-free drinks.
The City of Edmonton has stated that it will activate its weather response for excessive heat on Monday to ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals in anticipation of warmer temperatures.
Unless there is a significant change in the forecast, city officials have stated that the response plan will conclude on Friday night.
The city emphasized the growing importance of preventing dehydration during heat waves.
Environment Canada has offered some tips to help residents stay cool during the upcoming heatwave, including:
- drink plenty of water, even if you aren’t thirsty, especially at night
- reduce activity level and avoid intense activity
- wear a damp shawl or shirt
- sit in a cool or tepid bath
- take a cool shower
- use a personal mister or spray bottle
As well, people are advised to watch out for signs of heat stroke, which include severe headache, confusion, unsteadiness, vomiting, and a loss of thirst.
Related Climate Change News:
Heatwave in Delhi Claims 200 Homeless Lives in One Week
News
South Korea’s First ‘Robot Suicide’ Raises Concerns: Robot Civil Servant Falls Down Stairs at Gumi City Council
A robot civil servant in South Korea was discovered unresponsive at the foot of a stairwell, marking the country’s first ‘robot suicide’ case. Gumi City Council officials reported that the robot, known as “Robot Supervisor,” worked a conventional 9-to-5 workday and had its civil service ID card.
“Robot Supervisor” was apparently spotted by municipal staff about 4 p.m., who claimed that the robot had previously behaved abnormally, “circling in one spot as if something was there.”
“It was technically a member of the city hall staff, one of us.
According to the Daily Mail, a municipal official said “it worked diligently.”
What led to the ‘robot suicide’ in South Korea
While the cause of the fall is still being investigated, reports wonder whether the robot was asked ‘to work too hard’. The officials have collected the parts for analysis, which the robot’s maker is testing.
“Pieces have been collected and will be analysed by the company,” an official stated.
Bear Robotics, a California-based robot-waiter startup, produced the robot, which has been active since August 2023.
Unlike other service robots limited to single floors, the Gumi City Council robot explored the building independently, calling elevators to go between levels.
According to reports, the robot “helped with daily document deliveries, city promotion, and delivered information” to local residents.
The city council has postponed plans to deploy another robot.
According to reports, the Gumi City Council has postponed deploying another robot officer in response to this event.
According to the International Federation of Robotics, South Korea has a high rate of robot adoption, with one industrial robot for every ten employees.
Source: Daily Mail
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