Can South Korea's new president get his country back on track?
UNTIL RECENTLY South Korea seemed to be moving inexorably up the global food chain. Gone are the days of a 'shrimp among whales', as a traditional proverb described the nation's position beside larger neighbours. Today's South Korea is relatively free, relatively rich and relatively large, part of a small club of democratic nations with a GDP per person over $30,000 and a population over 50m (see chart). As Lee Jae-myung, the newly elected president of South Korea, quipped in an interview with The Economist earlier this year, now it is more fitting to compare his country to a dolphin.
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The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ukraine-Russia war latest: One dead and fourteen injured after Moscow launches overnight drone strike on Odesa
One person has died and 14 people left wounded after a Russian drone attack hit several high-rise apartment blocks in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa. Footage showed emergency services battling fires at one apartment block as they rushed to rescue civilians. They reported at least 10 drone strikes overnight. Odesa governor Oleh Kiper said there was damage to residential buildings, a higher education institution, a gas pipeline and private cars. Ukrainian state railways Ukrzaliznytsia reported that Odesa railway station was damaged during the attack, with power wires and rails damaged. Ukraine 's air force said Russia fired a total of 86 drones at Ukraine in its latest aerial attack, 70 of which were either shot down or lost. Officials in Ukraine's northeast city of Kharkiv also reported damage. Ukrainian politicians urged Kyiv 's western supporters to put more pressure on Russia to agree to a ceasefire in light of the latest attacks. 'With no meaningful consequences, Russia feels free to escalate. Every delay, every diluted sanction, every excuse for inaction is taken in Moscow as permission,' economics minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on X, sharing footage of the attack in Odesa. Moscow's defence ministry, meanwhile, claimed that Ukraine fired 61 drones at targets across Russia. North Korea will send 5,000 military construction workers to Russia, Kremlin says North Korea is sending 5,000 military construction workers and 1,000 sappers to Russia 's Kursk oblast, where Moscow is repairing widespread damage from a Ukrainian incursion, according to a top Kremlin official. Presidential security adviser Sergei Shoigu said the workers would help rebuild the strategic border region, which was invaded by the Ukrainian military last August and retaken by Russian forces earlier this year. The dispatch of the workers was discussed in Mr Shoigu's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, state media outlet KCNA reported on Wednesday. North Korea will send 5,000 military construction workers to Russia, says Kremlin Sergei Shoigu says North Korean workers will help repair damage from Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Tom Watling20 June 2025 10:00 In pictures: Russia launches drone attacks at Kharkiv Earlier, we reported that six people had been wounded, including a 12-year-old, in the northeast Ukrainian region of Kharkiv. Below, you can see some pictures of the aftermath of those attacks. Tom Watling20 June 2025 09:24 Tried and tested in war: For European drone manufacturers, Ukraine is the place to be About once a month, French drone manufacturer Henri Seydoux makes what has become a necessary pilgrimage for many in his business — he goes to Ukraine. Because for drone technology, there is no harder place to survive than the frontlines of the war against Russia's invasion, where both sides are using unmanned aerial machines of all shapes and sizes to kill and to observe, reshaping modern warfare. Tried and tested in war: For European drone manufacturers, Ukraine is the place to be For European drone manufacturers, being able to say that their equipment has been tried in war by Ukrainian forces is becoming a sales pitch Tom Watling20 June 2025 09:00 At least six people, including 12-year-old, injured in Ukraine's Kharkiv While footage continues to come out from Ukraine's port city of Odesa following a large Russian drone attack, we bring you news from Kharkiv, where there have been additional casualties. The northeastern Ukrainian region, which borders Russia, is one of the most frequently bombed areas of the country. Its eponymously named capital is also home to some 1.3 million Ukrainians, making it the second largest city in the country behind Kyiv. Local officials said Russia launched at least eight strikes overnight on the region, injuring three people, including a 12-year-old and 17-year-old girl, in the city. At least six apartment blocks were damaged. Another three people were injured in villages outside the city but within the region. 20 June 2025 08:38 Olena Zelenska: Russia is turning our nights into a nightmare Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, has accused Russia of 'turning our nights into nightmares' with the latest aerial attacks. Russia has ramped up its assaults on Ukraine in recent weeks, even as Vladimir Putin has repeated claims he is interested in ending the war. Moscow says it is only striking military targets but footage last night showed civilians fleeing a residential apartment block after drones damaged the property and caused fires. 'Russia is deliberately turning each of our nights into a nightmare, trying to break our spirit. But Ukraine will persevere,' Ms Zelenska wrote on X. 'The future belongs to those who save, rebuild, and never give up.' Tom Watling20 June 2025 08:19 Putin sends warning to Germany over Ukraine supplies: 'Serious damage' Tom Watling20 June 2025 08:03 Mapped: Russia's invasion of Ukraine Below we have a map of the frontline in Ukraine after more than three years of Russia's full-scale invasion. Tom Watling20 June 2025 07:48 Russia downs two drones that tried to attack Moscow, mayor says Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Friday that air defence systems had downed two drones en route to Russia's capital. He posted twice on Telegram, first at 4.55am GMT and secondly at 6.07am, claiming two separate attacks. He said emergency services were working at the site of the fallen debris. Earlier, Moscow's defence ministry claimed that Ukraine fired 61 drones at targets across Russia overnight. Tom Watling20 June 2025 07:37 In pictures: Russian drone attack hits high-rise in Odesa Earlier, we told that you an overnight Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa had killed at least one person and left 14 more wounded. The Russian attack hit several high-rise apartment blocks, setting them on fire. Below, you can see pictures from the scene. 20 June 2025 07:31 Russia fires 86 drones at Ukraine overnight Ukraine's air force said on Friday that Russia had launched 86 drones on Ukraine overnight. The military noted its air defence units shot down 34 drones while another 36 drones were lost - in reference to the Ukrainian military using electronic warfare to redirect them - or they were drone simulators that did not carry warheads. Tom Watling20 June 2025 07:20
BBC News
13 minutes ago
- BBC News
Senegal women's basketball training in US cancelled after visas rejected
A training session for the Senegalese women's basketball team in the US has been scrapped, with the West African nation's prime minister saying he cancelled it because some of the squad were denied US Minister Ousmane Sonko said the team would now train in Senegal's capital, Dakar, "in a sovereign and conducive setting".It comes amid reports that the US plans to impose fresh travel restrictions on 25 more African countries, including this month the US announced a ban on citizens from 12 countries, including seven from Africa. There were also partial travel restrictions on nationals from a further seven countries, with three from Africa. It remains unclear why the Senegalese athletes were denied visas, as the US Embassy is yet to publicly comment on the matter."Informed of the refusal of issuing visas to several members of the Senegal women's national basketball team, I have instructed the Ministry of Sports to simply cancel the ten-day preparatory training initially planned in the United States of America," Sonko said on Thursday in a statement shared to social say five Senegalese basketball players and 13 team officials were travelling to meet other members of the squad and their coach who were already in the US, to warm up for the 2025 Women's AfroBasket tournament in Ivory Coast next month. But their visa applications were not halts US visas in revenge for Trump travel banTrump's tariffs could be death knell for US-Africa trade pactThe visa refusals are raising eyebrows because, according to the recently leaked diplomatic cable containing details of the extended travel restrictions, targeted countries were given up to 60 days to address the concerns raised by the reportedly include people overstaying their visas, lack of co-operation with deportations, links to terror attacks in the US, anti-semitism or anti-American the reported new travel restrictions, Senegal's foreign ministry urged nationals to comply with their permitted periods of stay in the it did not directly comment on Senegal's possible inclusion in the latest list of restricted countries, the government statement underscored that diplomatic and consular services were working in close collaboration with the US Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yussuf Tuggar said the expanded travel bans could impede possible energy and rare earth mineral deals which West African countries can offer the US. The Trump administration insists national security concerns and the high rate of visa overstays from some countries must be reporting by Natasha Booty More BBC stories about Senegal: Why Baye Fall Muslims worship through work and communityBorn in France but searching for a future in AfricaSenegal starts producing oil as president promises benefits Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Irish shop workers stunned by sale of EuroMillions jackpot-winning ticket
A shop in Ireland is preparing for a "big celebration" after it was revealed to have sold the winning €250 million EuroMillions jackpot ticket. Clifford's Centra on Shandon Street in Cork city has been identified as the lucky outlet. admitting he initially thought it was a "wind up" when informed on Thursday evening. Amidst sweltering temperatures across Ireland on Friday, Mr Clifford quipped: "It is definitely going to be the hottest day of the year at Shandon Street." He added that this isn't the first time the shop has been a hub for big wins, having previously sold other significant prize tickets. 'It is fantastic news – this all kicked off on New Year's Eve when we sold a 100,000 euro ticket to a local person,' Mr Clifford remarked. 'That's when our luck, or winning streak, started.' Mr Clifford, who is the third generation owner of the store which has been operating for 95 years, said he is 'proud to be part of the community'. Speaking on RTE radio's Morning Ireland, he sent his 'warmest congratulations' to the winner and their family. Asked if he knows who that might be, he replied: 'I have no idea, it's a busy shop – there's a lot of people in and out. 'Hopefully they will have good fortune with their money.' Mr Clifford said it is a 'life-changing amount of money', but the National Lottery will support the winner. The shop owner said he will use 25,000 euros in prize money for the shop to have a 'big celebration' with the staff. He said there was a 'great buzz' and 'a lot of people around' following the announcement. The winner of the jackpot has already contacted the National Lottery. It is the 18th Irish winner and the largest ever Irish win of the EuroMillions jackpot. The winning numbers from Tuesday's draw were 13, 22, 23, 44 and 49, with lucky stars 3 and 5. Earlier in the week, Cian Murphy, chief executive of the Irish National Lottery, had offered advice to the then-unidentified winner, urging them to "stay calm" as the "massive" win could come as a shock. The EuroMillions jackpot is capped once it reaches 250 million euro – or £208 million on current currency conversions. This jackpot reached the maximum amount on Friday June 6 after rolling over several times. In total, more than 92,000 players in Ireland won prizes in the EuroMillions and Plus games. The last Irish winner of the EuroMillions jackpot was in February 2022, when a person won 30.9 million euro with a quick pick ticket they purchased at a service station in Ballina, Co Tipperary.
