Latest news with #Koo
Mint
5 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
US Lawmakers' Talks With Top Taiwan Official Risks Irking China
A group of US lawmakers held a rare publicly disclosed meeting with Taiwan's top defense official, a discussion that risks spurring China to step up its military intimidation of the democracy. The delegation led by Ami Bera, a Democratic representative from California, met with Defense Minister Wellington Koo on Tuesday in Taipei, Taiwan's Military News Agency reported. Koo said Taiwan was a reliable partner for the US and was committed to strengthening its defensive capabilities, the report on Wednesday added. US President Donald Trump suggested while campaigning that Taipei increase its military spending. The meeting adds to events lately that Beijing is likely to perceive as provocative. On Tuesday, Beijing hit back at Taiwan for joining a yearslong US campaign to curtail China's technological ascent when it recently blacklisted the country's AI and chipmaking champions. And Bera and the other lawmakers met President Lai Ching-te on Monday. While such meetings are fairly common for US lawmakers, they still annoy Beijing because it opposes nations it has ties with from having official contact with Taiwan. China will also note that military officials from Taiwan attended exercises at a key US military base in Alaska last week. Also last week, retired military officials from Taiwan, Japan and the US reportedly attended a simulated 'tabletop exercise' in Taipei. A new round of Chinese exercises around Taiwan soon cannot be ruled out, said Lin Po-chou, assistant research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, a government-affiliated think tank based in Taipei. 'China might also escalate the scale of the existing provocation of Taiwan, or express dissatisfaction through propaganda warfare or commentary in official media outlets,' he added. China views the archipelago of 23 million people as territory that must come under its control eventually, hopefully by peaceful means but by force if necessary. The People's Liberation Army has held an unprecedented amount of exercises around Taiwan since Lai took office a little more than a year ago. It has also flexed its naval might around Japan and also Australia. The latest developments come as China-US tensions cooled following trade talks in London last week. Taipei is also holding discussions with Washington to avoid getting hit with duties. While previous American delegations are likely to have had meetings with Taiwanese defense ministers, they usually aren't publicly disclosed. In 2021, a group visited the Defense Ministry in Taipei and was briefed on China's military threats. Reports at the time didn't say what Taiwanese military officials the lawmakers met. Taiwan's Defense Ministry didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. Jack Chen, director of Formosa Defense Vision, an advocacy group, said the announcement of the meeting between Koo and the US visitors 'showed that the military exchanges and cooperation between the US and Taiwan are becoming increasingly high profile and transparent, aligning with a long-term trend that began under the Biden administration and has continued into the Trump administration.' This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Sofyank teams up with HK superstar Louis Koo in viral promo
KUALA LUMPUR: A surprise collaboration between Hong Kong screen legend Louis Koo and Malaysia's very own VFX prodigy Sofyank has taken local social media by storm, following the release of a promotional video for Koo's film Behind The Shadow. The impressive 50-second spot racked up over a million views in just 12 hours, and for Sofyank, the experience was surreal. "Louis is one of the first Hong Kong actors I've ever worked with. I grew up watching his movies — to now share the screen with him feels like a dream come true," shared Sofyank. Despite Koo's packed schedule, the video shoot was completed in 20 minutes. "He looked really serious at first, but he was incredibly down-to-earth. In fact, it was he who suggested some comedic moments — including the popcorn bit," added Sofyank. The video features Sofyank walking through a cinema hallway holding popcorn, before accidentally bumping into a crowd and dropping it. Koo "steps out" of a movie poster and hands him a fresh box — while dropping some Bahasa Malaysia lines in his Cantonese-accented voice: "Jom sapot!" (Let's support!). Netizens praised their pairing as refreshing and heartwarming. "We asked Louis if he'd be willing to try speaking in Malay, even though it's not a language he's familiar with — and he was totally up for it," said Sofyank. Behind The Shadow was shot entirely in Malaysia, with a cast and crew of nearly 100 local talents. Koo previously shared his admiration for Malaysia's film industry, noting its professionalism, quick pace and strong creative energy. "I was impressed by how committed and responsive the Malaysian crew were. It was great to see how they handled spontaneous scenes so well," he said. Sofyank said: "This film proves that it's not just Western studios, but also those in Asia, that now recognise Malaysia's potential. I hope to bring Malaysian creativity to the global stage. And I'm thrilled to see more international filmmakers acknowledging our local talent." Behind The Shadow stars Koo as a detective entangled in a mysterious crime filled with suspense and unexpected turns. The film is set in recognisable Malaysian locations — from bustling night markets and food courts to schools, pedestrian bridges and urban backstreets. Behind The Shadow officially opens in cinemas today.
New Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: HK actor Louis Koo visits Penang for the first time, promises to return
KUALA LUMPUR: Renowned Hong Kong actor Louis Koo recently made his first trip to Penang to promote his latest film, Behind The Shadows, and it didn't take long for the state to win him over. In a Weibo post on Tuesday (June 10), Koo, 54, shared his excitement about the trip, praising the warm hospitality of the locals and raving about the delicious prawn noodles he had tried. "Although it's my first time in Penang, I've already fallen in love. The human touch and yummy prawn noodles here are unforgettable to me," he wrote. Koo's post featured three photographs – including one capturing the crowded shopping centre where the promotional event was held, with every floor packed with eager fans. The actor said this would not be his last visit to the state, adding that he would gladly return if the opportunity arose. "I hope to return soon. Next time, I'll have more time to take pictures with you," he said. Many Malaysian fans left comments hoping for Koo's return, while others eagerly offered food recommendations for his next visit.
Miami Herald
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
South Korea halts anti-Pyongyang loudspeaker broadcasts near border
SEOUL, June 11 (UPI) -- South Korea suspended its propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts across the border to North Korea, officials said Tuesday, in a bid to reduce tensions with Pyongyang under the administration of newly elected President Lee Jae-Myung. Halting the broadcasts is "a measure to fulfill the public pledge to restore trust in inter-Korean relations and bring peace to the Korean Peninsula," a Joint Chiefs of Staff official said in a text message to reporters. The move came roughly a year after Seoul resumed the broadcasts in response to a series of provocations by North Korea that included floating thousands of trash-filled balloons across the border. The broadcasts included news, K-pop music, and information about democracy and life in South Korea. The North responded at times by broadcasting bizarre noises such as metallic screeching and animal sounds, disturbing residents in areas near the DMZ. Lee ordered the suspensions, his office confirmed later on Tuesday. Spokeswoman Kang Yoo-jung said in a briefing that Lee "made this decision as a preemptive measure to ease tensions in a situation where there have been no recent major provocations by North Korea." "This is a measure to ease the military standoff between the South and the North and to open the way to restoring mutual trust." It was also meant to "alleviate the suffering of residents in border areas who have suffered due to North Korea's noise broadcasts," she said. Lee, who won a snap election on June 3 to replace impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol, campaigned on improving frayed inter-Korean relations. He vowed to suspend the loudspeaker broadcasts as well as prevent defector groups from floating balloons with anti-Pyongyang leaflets and USB drives containing South Korean media over the border. On Monday, the Unification Ministry in charge of inter-Korean relations called for a stop to the leaflet campaigns after an activist group sent balloons in early June. "We strongly request that the spreading of leaflets be stopped, as this could create tension in the situation on the Korean Peninsula and endanger the lives and safety of the people in the border areas," ministry spokesman Koo Byung-sam said at a press briefing. Koo said the ministry would work with agencies and related organizations to ensure compliance with existing regulations on leaflet distribution. The Unification Ministry will also "actively cooperate in discussing amendments to the National Assembly's Inter-Korean Relations Development Act," Koo said. Defectors and human rights activists have argued that the communications across the border provide a vital source of information about the outside world to North Korean citizens. The new government's stance is a departure from the Yoon administration, which took a hard line against North Korea and saw relations deteriorate amid a series of back-and-forth Cold War-style provocations in border areas. Lee has said he would continue to strengthen military cooperation with the United States but pledged to reopen communications with Seoul's recalcitrant neighbor. "We will prepare for North Korea's nuclear weapons and military provocations, while opening channels of communication with North Korea and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation," Lee said in a speech at his swearing-in ceremony. During his campaign, Lee also vowed to restore an inter-Korean military pact aimed at defusing military tensions and avoiding accidental conflicts along the border. It was signed during a period of detente in 2018 but scrapped by both countries last year. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Louis Koo visits Penang for the first time, promises to return in the future
Hong Kong actor Louis Koo drew a large crowd during his recent visit to Penang. Photos: Louis Koo/Weibo Renowned Hong Kong actor Louis Koo recently made his first trip to Penang to promote his latest film Behind The Shadows , and it didn't take long for the state to win him over. In a Weibo post on Tuesday (June 10), Koo, 54, shared his excitement about the trip, praising the warm hospitality of the locals and raving about the delicious prawn noodles he tried. 'Although it's my first time in Penang, I've already fallen in love. The human touch and yummy prawn noodles here are unforgettable to me,' he wrote in the captions. Koo's post featured three photos – including one capturing the crowded mall where the promotional event was held, with every floor filled with eager fans. The actor said this wouldn't be his last visit to the state, adding that he would gladly return if the opportunity arises. 'I hope to return soon. Next time, I'll have more time to take pictures with you,' he wrote. Many Malaysian fans have since left comments hoping for Koo's return, while others eagerly offered food recommendations for his next visit. 'Thank you for your hard work, and welcome to Penang!' one fan commented. Another added: 'There are many delicious cuisines in Penang. I hope I'll have the opportunity to meet you when you come here next time.'
