Lee Jae-myung sworn in as S. Korea's new president
Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as South Korea's new president on Wednesday after formally beginning his single five-year term earlier in the day.
The country's 21st president took the oath of office in the National Assembly building, saying in a televised inaugural address that he will strive for unity and be a president serving all citizens.
U.S. vetoes UNSC draft resolution demanding immediate Gaza ceasefire
The United States on Wednesday vetoed a Security Council draft resolution that would have demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid.
The draft resolution, tabled by the 10 elected members of the Security Council, won the support of 14 out of the 15 members of the council. The United States, which holds veto power, voted against it.
Trump doubles steel, aluminum tariffs to 50 pct amid legal challenges
The United States started to raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25 percent to 50 percent starting from Wednesday, according to an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
Trump announced the decision last Friday during a visit to a U.S. Steel plant in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.
Trump justified the action by claiming that higher tariffs on imported steel and aluminum would address national security threats and improve the competitiveness of domestic industries.
DPRK top leader vows unconditional support for Russia's stand, foreign policies
The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) affirmed on Wednesday that the country will "unconditionally support the stand of Russia and its foreign policies in all the crucial international political issues including the Ukrainian issue," the official Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday.
Iran's top leader dismisses U.S. proposal, upholds right to uranium enrichment
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Wednesday rejected the U.S. proposal for a nuclear deal that would prohibit any uranium enrichment, emphasizing that uranium enrichment is a 'key' component of Tehran's nuclear program.
He made the remarks at a ceremony in Tehran to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the passing of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, according to footage of his speech published on his website.
Over 25,000 evacuated from Canadian wildfires
More than 25,000 people have been forced to evacuate from wildfires in Canada, local media reported on Tuesday.
According to the reports, more than 9,000 people have been evacuated from northern Saskatchewan, as the province's premier Scott Moe said the number could reach 15,000 in the coming days.
The Saskatchewan government declared a 30-day provincial state of emergency last week, while neighboring Manitoba did the same and issued mandatory evacuation orders for approximately 17,000 people.■
