DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

SEOUL/CHEONGJU, South Korea, July 16 (Reuters) - The bodies of eight people trapped in a tunnel flooded by heavy rain in central South Korea were retrieved on Sunday, authorities said, with the death toll from days of torrential downpours that have pounded the country rising to 37. Kong Seong-pyo, a 60-year-old Cheongju resident who frequently uses the underpass, said the government should have restricted access to the tunnel when flooding was expected. The Ministry of Interior and Safety said nine people were missing across the country as of 6 p.m. (0900 GMT) as heavy downpours caused landslides and floods, with evacuation orders covering 8,852 people. [1/9]Rescue workers are seen near a recovered electric bus during a search and rescue operation near an underpass that has been submerged by a flooded river caused by torrential rain in Cheongju, South Korea, July 16, 2023. While South Korea often experiences heavy rains in summer, it has witnessed a sharp increase in torrential rains in recent years.

Persons: Seo Jeong, Seo, Kong, Kim Hong, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Han Duck, Gyun Kim, Daewoung Kim, Hongji Kim, Cheongju, hyang Choi, Diane Craft, Michael Perry, Jamie Freed, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: MBC, Reuters, The, of Interior, Safety, REUTERS, Korea Meteorological Administration, Korea Railroad Corp, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, CHEONGJU, South Korea, Cheongju, Seoul, Gangnam, Chungcheong

☆ Rescuers retrieve six bodies from flooded South Korea underpass
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/9] Rescue workers are seen near a recovered electric bus during a search and rescue operation near an underpass that has been submerged by a flooded river caused by torrential rain in Cheongju, South Korea, July 16, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-jiCHEONGJU, South Korea, July 16 (Reuters) - The bodies of six people trapped in a tunnel submerged by heavy rains in central South Korea were retrieved on Sunday, firefighting authorities said, taking the death toll from days of torrential rains that have pounded the country to 33. Seo Jeong-il, head of the west Cheongju fire station, said some 15 vehicles, including a bus, are estimated to have been submerged in the flooded underpass in the city. The ministry data does not include those in the flooded tunnel as it was not immediately clear how many people were trapped underwater. Reporting by Do Gyun Kim, Daewoung Kim and Hongji Kim in Cheongju, Soo-hyang Choi in Seoul; Editing by Diane Craft and Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kim Hong, Seo Jeong, Seo, Yoon Suk Yeol, Han Duck, Gyun Kim, Daewoung Kim, Hongji Kim, Cheongju, hyang Choi, Diane Craft, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, of Interior, Safety, Korea Railroad Corp, Thomson Locations: Cheongju, South Korea, Seoul

CNN —Rescue workers pulled seven bodies from vehicles trapped in a flooded underpass in central South Korea, authorities said Sunday, after days of torrential rain caused landslides and flash floods that have killed at least 33 people. The rescue operation was ongoing Sunday morning, with 10 people reported missing while authorities worked to identify the bodies, according to South Korean Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The search and rescue operation at the underpass continued on Sunday, in Cheongju, South Korea, on July 16. Dozens of people have died in South Korea in recent days as torrential monsoon rains triggered flooding and landslides across the country. The latest round of heavy rains in South Korea come just days after devastating floods wreaked havoc in neighboring Japan, killing at least six people and injuring 19.

Persons: Seo Jeong, il, Seo, Kim Hong, ”, Han Duck Organizations: CNN — Rescue, South Korean Ministry of, Safety, Rescue, Ministry of, Yonhap News Agency, Korean, South Korean Locations: South Korea, North Chungcheong, Cheongju, East Asia, Japan, China, Chongqing

☆ Translating Traditional Korean Movement to ‘a Language for Our Time’
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Brian Seibert | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Jung, a director-designer who has also worked in film and fashion, collaborated on “One Dance” with three choreographers. Hyejing Jeong, Seoul Metropolitan’s artistic director, is an expert in traditional Korean forms, while Sung Hoon Kim and Jaeduk Kim (who also composed the show’s music) come from contemporary dance. The show begins with a traditional version of il mu, juxtaposes that against a section of contemporary dance, and then finishes with a kind of synthesis, an updated il mu. Even the traditional version has been theatricalized, though. In “One Dance,” it is performed by 24 women whose individual mats, laid out like cards for Concentration, can rise on wires.

Persons: Jung, Hyejing Jeong, Sung Hoon Kim, Jaeduk Kim, There’s, Nightingale Locations: Seoul

☆ Mikala Jones: Hawaiian pro surfer dies at 44 after surfing accident in Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Sophie Jeong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Hawaiian pro surfer Mikala Jones has died at the age of 44 following a fatal accident while surfing in Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands on Sunday. Jones was known throughout the surfing world for the mesmerizing photos and videos he took while riding inside of breaking waves, offering a unique first person perspective into the sport. This is too soon.”Following Jones’ death, many from the surfing community took to social media to pay their respects. Legendary pro surfer Kelly Slater, who has 11 World Champion Surf Titles to his name, commented on Bielmann’s post, writing “Sobering moment. Mikala you were one of a kind.”CNN has reached out to the Indonesian National Police, USA Surfing and International Surfing Association for comment.

Persons: Mikala Jones, Jones, Jones ’, Isabella, Instagram, ”, “, Brian Bielmann, Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning Organizations: CNN, Indonesian National Police, USA, Surfing Locations: Hawaiian, Mentawai Islands, Indonesia’s West Sumatra

☆ North Korea: "No intention to examine" Hyundai Group chief's bid to visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, July 1 (Reuters) - North Korea has no intention to "examine" South Korea's Hyundai Group chief's plan to visit the North's Mount Kumgang, the country's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun has been seeking to visit North Korea in August and submitted applications to South Korea's unification ministry, Yonhap news agency reported on Friday, citing an unnamed official at the ministry. Hyundai's late founder, Chung Ju-Yung, was born in North Korea. Mount Kumgang is on North Korea’s east coast near the demilitarised zone separating the two countries. North Korea has long rejected criticism of its rights conditions as part of a plot to overthrow its rulers.

Persons: Kumgang, Hyun Jeong, Chung, Yung, Yoon Suk, Heekyong Yang, Sandra Maler, William Mallard Organizations: Korea's Hyundai, Hyundai, DPRK, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, Korea, North Korea’s, Kaesong, Pyongyang

☆ BTS 10th anniversary: K-pop sensation’s decade-long style evolution
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —This week marks 10 years since K-pop sensation BTS burst onto the South Korean music scene in a flurry of chunky chains, baseball caps and spiky hair. BTS pictured at a photo call for the Incheon Korean Music Wave festival in 2013, just months after the band debuted. Han Myung-Gu/WireImage/Getty Images BTS sport colorful streetwear to perform on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in November 2017. RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images BTS appears at the American Music Awards in 2017, when they became the first Korean group to perform at the annual ceremony. Amy Sussman/Getty Images Photos: BTS' decade-long style evolution Prev NextNowhere is this more evident than on the red carpet.

Persons: Louis Vuitton, Jungkook, Valentino, Dior, Calvin Klein, Han Myung, Jimmy Kimmel, Griffin, Jordan Strauss, David Becker, Amy Sussman, Lee Ha, jeong, Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello, Kim Jones, Jin, Suga Organizations: CNN, Hit Entertainment, Incheon Korean Music, Bauer, BTS, Entertainment, MTV Locations: Korean, Seoul, South Korea, Jimin

☆ Elon Musk: CEOs flock to China as risks to trade and investment rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

To drum up business, Chinese leaders have urged foreign companies to invest more in the country, promising them an open and level playing field. “The interests of the United States and China are intertwined like conjoined twins,” he was quoted as saying by the foreign ministry. Over time, “there will be less trade” between China and the United States, Dimon predicted. The move was seen as retaliation for restrictions the United States has imposed on Chinese chipmakers. The interests of the United States and China are intertwined like conjoined twins.

Persons: Elon, Laxman, Jamie Dimon, Qin Gang, Tesla, Elon Musk, Musk, ”, Warren Buffett, Dimon’s, Dimon, That’s, Bain, “ who’s, ” Michael Hart, Ben Cavender, Nick Marro, Tim Cook, Cook, Marro, ‘, ” —, Sophie Jeong, Martha Zhou Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Tesla, Starbucks, JPMorgan, Apple, Samsung, Aramco, Volkswagen, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Foreign, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Reuters, China’s Foreign, Shanghai’s Communist Party, Bloomberg, Group, American Chamber of Commerce, CNN, British, of Commerce, China Market Research Group, US, Micron, Economist Intelligence Unit, “ Companies, China Development Forum Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, United States, Shanghai, Taiwan, Washington, New York, American, Xinjiang

[1/5] TANAKA whose real name is Kim Kyung-wook, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Seoul, South Korea, May 16, 2023. Now Kim exemplifies the changing attitudes of young Koreans as ties with Japan thaw. DEMAND REBOUNDThe quarrels are being left behind as the enthusiasm of young Koreans fuels a sharp rebound in demand for Japanese consumer products. That compared with a 90% drop in imports of Japanese beer in 2019, when the intensifying feuds made it an early target of a sweeping boycott. "China is clearly less preferred than countries like the United States and Japan," Kim said, citing Beijing's curbs on freedom in Hong Kong and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persons: TANAKA, Kim Kyung, Kim Hong, Ji, Jeong, Tanaka, idolises, I've, it's, Kim, Fumio Kishida, Yoon Suk, James Kim, Hyonhee Shin, Heekyong Yang, Jimin Jung, Daewoung Kim, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, South, Korea's, Relations, Asahi Group Holdings, Costco, Hankook Research, Asan Institute, Policy Studies, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Ji SEOUL, South Korean, Japan, Tokyo, Korean, China, Russia, North Korea, United States, Hong Kong

CNN —South Korean soccer star Son Jun-ho has been arrested in China for allegedly accepting bribes as Beijing clamps down on alleged corruption in the upper ranks of Chinese football. A South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday the ministry was aware of Son’s situation and that local Korean diplomatic missions were providing consular assistance. Wang said China would provide South Korean officials with the “necessary facilitation” to perform their consular duties. The Korea Football Association (KFA) said it had written to the Chinese Football Association and the Asian Football Confederation regarding the player on Tuesday but had not yet heard back. Vice President Kim Jeong-bae was checking on Son’s condition with the South Korean Foreign and Sports Ministries, a KFA official told CNN.

CNN —K-pop star Moon Bin, a member of the boy band Astro, has died at the age of 25, his music label Fantagio said Thursday. Members of K-pop band Astro, Yoon San-Ha, MJ, Moon Bin, Cha Eun-Woo, attend the 26th High1 Seoul Music Awards at Jamsil Arena on January 19, 2017. The Chosunilbo JNS/ImaZinS/Getty ImagesMoon Bin debuted with Astro in 2016. The other members of the group are Jinjin, MJ, Cha Eun-woo and Yoon San-ha. Moon Bin also performed as part of a subgroup called Moon Bin & Sanha, which toured in Asia in recent months.

CNN —China is making “significant progress” building the country’s fifth research facility in Antarctica after a several years-long lull in construction, according to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The site – a research station China has hailed as a means to expand its scientific investigation in the Antarctic – could also be used to enhance the country’s intelligence collection, according to CSIS. In February 2020, a team of US inspectors visited the station, where they were hosted by station leader Wang Zhechao of the Polar Research Institute of China. China has established four scientific research bases in Antarctica since 1984, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Under the 1959 treaty Antarctic Treaty, to which China is party, activities on the continent are restricted to “peaceful purposes.”Military personnel are allowed to conduct scientific research, but may not set up bases, test weapons of carry out maneuvers.

☆ Ancient DNA reveals secrets of empire that pushed China to build its Great Wall
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Known as the Xiongnu, the empire saw conflict with great rival imperial China that resulted in the construction of the Great Wall, parts of which still stand today. Now, ancient DNA evidence, combined with the fruits of recent archaeological digs, is spilling the secrets of one of the era’s most powerful political forces. Excavation of the Xiongnu Elite Tomb 64 contains a high-status aristocratic woman at the site of a cemetery at Takhiltyn Khotgor in Mongolia's Altai Mountains. Golden icons of the sun and moon, symbols of the Xiongnu, decorate a coffin found in Elite Tomb 64 at the Takhiltyn Khotgor site. “And it was this potent legacy…that the Mongols took up when they created their own empire many more centuries later.”

Japanese-Brazilian singer-songwriter Kauan Okamoto alleged during a press conference that over the course of four years, beginning in 2012 when he was 15, he was repeatedly sexually assaulted by Kitagawa, who died age 87 in 2019. In 1999, Japanese magazine Shukan Bunshun published accounts of other young men and boys who claimed they were sexually abused by Kitagawa. They ‘knew it was my turn’Singer-songwriter Okamoto joined Kitagawa’s agency in February 2012 while he was in junior high school. Okamoto said Kitagawa would often invite these young recruits to spend the night in his apartment, and pick “favorites” among the boys. “He began massaging my feet,” Okamoto said, and alleged that Kitagawa touched his genitals and performed oral sex on him.

[1/2] Microsoft Corp's Bing search engine is seen on a computer in this illustration picture taken January 24, 2019. While Bing AI has been available to most users around the world since February, Google began the public release of its chatbot Bard only on Tuesday. "Bing has less than a tenth of Google's market share, so even if it converts 1% or 2% of users it will be materially beneficial to Bing and Microsoft," Luria said. App downloads for Bing have also jumped eight times globally after AI integration, according to app research firm Data.ai. Downloads for the Google search app fell 2% in the same period, the data showed.

☆ The Next Frontier in Farming? The Ocean.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Somini Sengupta | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +10 min

For centuries, it’s been treasured in kitchens in Asia and neglected almost everywhere else: Those glistening ribbons of seaweed that bend and bloom in cold ocean waves. Far beyond South Korea, new farms have cropped up in Maine, the Faroe Islands, Australia, even the North Sea. But even as its champions see it as a miracle crop for a hotter planet, others worry that the zeal to farm the ocean could replicate some of the same damages of farming on land. “Seaweed is not going to replace all plastic, but seaweed combined with other things can tackle single use plastic,” he said. Seaweed farms are a far cry from the rows of corn and wheat that make up monoculture farming on land.

☆ Noom quietly started writing prescriptions for trendy new weight-loss drugs
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The popular weight-loss app Noom quietly launched a new program that offers some users access to prescription anti-obesity medications. Called Noom Clinical, the program is meant to "build additional support" for app users, a company spokesperson said in a statement to Insider. Startups like Noom want to capitalize on a surge in demand for new weight-loss drugsSaeju Jeong, Co-founder & CEO, Noom Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile for Web Summit via Getty Images)Noom's foray into prescribing medication comes as demand for weight-loss drugs surges. NoomNoom, which introduced its weight loss app in 2017, is backed by venture firm Oak HC/FT and private-equity giant Silver Lake. According to the spokesperson, Noom began rolling out the new prescription-drug program to a small number of users in the fall.

☆ Szokol takes three-shot lead after sizzling 64 at Sentosa
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 2 (Reuters) - World number 153 Elizabeth Szokol outplayed a stellar field with an eight-under-par 64 to take a three-stroke lead after the opening round of the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore on Thursday. After a bogey at her first hole, the American bagged seven birdies and an eagle to build a solid lead over the chasing pack, which was led by Yuka Saso on five-under after the Japanese world number 36 shot a flawless 67. American world number two Nelly Korda carded a 68 for a share of third place with five other players, including fellow major winners Patty Tavatanakit, Kim Hyo-joo, Ariya Jutanugarn and Lee Jeong-eun. Top-ranked Lydia Ko (70) of New Zealand and South Korea's reigning champion Ko Jin-young (72) endured difficult days with the putter at the Sentosa Golf Club and finished in a share of 14th and 36th respectively. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Bengaluru, editing by Nick Mulvenney and Himani SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Hong Kong: National security warning now a part of land sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Hong Kong real estate is the most expensive in the world, but it wasn’t eye watering prices that took investors by surprise this week. Hong Kong authorities have repeatedly claimed the law has restored order and stability after the city’s 2019 anti-government, pro-democracy protests. Lee said the legal provision is “an obvious thing” for Hong Kong to add to safeguard national security. “Safeguarding national security is the shared responsibility of the entire Hong Kong society,” it said. Developers and investors bidding on land sales are not normally involved in activities that violate the national security law, she said.

Like last season, season nine of "The Masked Singer" will include special themed nights. How to watch 'The Masked Singer' season 9You can watch "The Masked Singer" season nine Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox. To watch every episode of "The Masked Singer" during your trial, you should wait to sign up until the season nine finale airs. Who is competing in 'The Masked Singer' season 9? Though we'll have to wait to see who the secret celebrities are, the contestant stage names for season nine of "The Masked Singer" include:AxolotlCalifornia RollDandelionDollFairyFrench HenGargoyleGnomeJackalopeMacawMantisMedusaMooseMustangNight OwlPolar BearRock LobsterSquirrelHow many episodes will 'The Masked Singer' season 9 have?

☆ Devon Energy's plunge after management fails to reassure investors makes us question our stake
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Shares of Club holding Devon Energy (DVN) fell sharply Wednesday, one day after delivering disappointing fourth quarter results , reducing its fixed-plus-variable dividend and barely buying back any stock. DVN 1Y mountain Devon Energy (DVN) 1-year performance Devon management on Wednseday did reassure investors of its commitment to financial discipline and shareholder returns. Production guidance On Devon's earnings call Wednesday morning, management said that the first quarter is expected to be the lowest production quarter of fiscal 2023. The facility is expected to be back up and running by mid-March, with no impact to second quarter production expected. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

☆ Devon Energy delivered a disappointing fourth quarter, even when factoring in lower energy prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Oil-and-gas producer Devon Energy (DVN) on Tuesday delivered lackluster fourth-quarter earnings, sending shares lower. Note : Devon Energy is scheduled to host its post-earnings conference call on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Bottom line This was a disappointing quarter for Devon Energy, despite having managed our expectations given the recent decline in energy prices. As a result, Devon stock tumbled roughly 5.5% in afterhours trading, as shares re-rated to the lower cash-return profile. As was the case in the prior quarter, Devon did not aggressively make use of its $2 billion share repurchase program in the fourth quarter.

[1/3] Women ride on an escalator past a couple wearing masks to avoid contracting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a shopping mall in Seoul, South Korea, January 30, 2023. The lifting of the face-covering rules in the majority of indoor locations is South Korea's latest step in easing COVID rules as new cases show signs of a slowdown. People are still required to wear the masks in public transport settings and in medical facilities. But many citizens also said they will still wear masks with the pandemic not fully over. The easing of rules come about three years after South Korea reported its first outbreak of COVID infection on Jan. 20, 2020.

☆ China's reopening set to boost Hong Kong's property market as retail leads the recovery: Colliers
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In light of China's reopening and easing of Covid rules, Hong Kong's property market will be on a path to recovery in 2023, according to property consultancy Colliers Hong Kong. The retail market in particular will reap the "best benefit," Hannah Jeong, Colliers' head of valuation and advisory services, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Thursday. However, there are still some potential headwinds this year that may undercut Hong Kong's recovery, Colliers said in its latest report. "We are looking at a more cautiously optimistic view for 2023," Jeong added. "There will be different uncertainties from external factors but borders opening is surely the one of the booster[s] for many other sectors within the property market."

☆ China's reopening will boost many sectors in Hong Kong's property market: Real estate services firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailChina's reopening will boost many sectors in Hong Kong's property market: Real estate services firmHannah Jeong of Colliers Hong Kong says it's cautiously optimistic on the city's property market.

Search resuls for: "jeong"

25 mentions found