A South Korean court has sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison after finding her guilty of corruption, marking a significant development in a series of high-profile cases involving the country’s former leadership. The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Kim accepted bribes from the Unification Church in exchange for business-related favors, according to court findings released Wednesday. Prosecutors argued that the transactions undermined public trust and violated South Korea’s anti-corruption laws governing public officials and their immediate family members.

After nearly two decades of negotiations, India and the European Union have finalized a landmark free trade agreement, marking a significant boost to economic ties between the two regions. Officials say the deal opens new avenues for trade and investment while strengthening strategic economic partnerships. Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed the agreement on Tuesday, highlighting that both sides are using the pact to reinforce their economies amid uncertain trade relations with the United States. He described the deal as a major step toward deeper cooperation and expanded market access. Und

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to increase tariffs on goods imported from South Korea, raising the rate from the current 15 per cent to 25 per cent. The proposed increase would apply to a range of products, including automobiles, lumber, pharmaceuticals and other manufactured goods. Speaking about the decision, Trump accused South Korea of failing to properly implement a trade agreement reached last year. He said the tariff increase is intended to address what his administration describes as unfair trade practices and ongoing concerns about market access for U.S. companies. So

At least 18 people have died after a passenger ferry sank near an island in the southern Philippines early Monday, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation by the coast guard and navy. Officials said more than 350 passengers and crew were on board the cargo and passenger ferry when it encountered a technical problem, causing the vessel to tilt sharply to one side and take on water. Several people were reported to have fallen into the sea as the ship began to sink. Rescue teams have so far saved 316 passengers and crew members, while recovery efforts continue for dozens who remain u

A private jet carrying eight people crashed while attempting to take off from Bangor International Airport in the U.S. state of Maine on Sunday evening, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft, identified as a Bombardier Challenger 600, went down shortly after 7:45 p.m. local time. Officials said there was no immediate confirmation on the condition of those on board, and emergency crews were dispatched to the scene following the crash. The incident occurred as Maine and much of the northeastern United States were dealing with a powerful winter storm. Airport conditions i

Spain has declined an invitation to participate in a proposed international initiative known as the ‘Board of Peace,’ which was launched by U.S. President Donald Trump, citing its long-standing commitment to the United Nations system. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Madrid respects the invitation extended by President Trump but will not take part in the initiative. He stated that Spain’s foreign policy remains firmly anchored in multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations, which Spain views as the central forum for global peace and conflict resolution. Sánchez

A Russian drone attack late Thursday in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region killed four people, including a five-year-old child, according to Ukrainian local authorities. Officials confirmed the deaths on Friday, saying the strike hit a residential area. Authorities said five other people were injured in the attack, while at least two homes were completely destroyed. Emergency crews were deployed overnight to assist residents and assess damage in the affected community. Ukrainian officials say Russia continues to press for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from Donetsk, a region that has remained a

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dissolved the country’s lower house of Parliament, triggering a snap federal election scheduled for Feb. 8, just three months after she took office. The decision is widely seen as an effort to take advantage of early public support for Takaichi and to help the long-governing Liberal Democratic Party recover from significant electoral losses suffered in recent years. Analysts say the move carries political risk but could strengthen the government’s mandate if voters respond positively. The snap election, however, will delay parliamentary debate on

The death toll from a deadly fire at a shopping plaza in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi has risen to at least 67, according to police and hospital officials, as rescue teams continue to search the damaged building for additional victims. Authorities said dozens of newly recovered remains were found inside Gul Plaza, where the fire broke out over the weekend. Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed confirmed that many of the remains were severely burned and fragmented, making the identification process slow and challenging. Rescue workers were still combing through the structure on Thursda