ASIA

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Samsung boss Lee Jae-yong has been cleared of fraud charges by South Korea's Supreme Court, concluding a years-long legal battle over his role in a 2015 merger deal. The court upheld a not guilty verdict, acquitting Lee of all charges after two previous trials had also exonerated him. Lee, the grandson of Samsung's founder, has been the de facto head of the company since 2014.

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A restaurant in China’s northern Shanxi province is under intense scrutiny after launching a controversial afternoon tea experience that lets guests cuddle lion cubs alongside a four-course meal. The Wanhui restaurant, located in Taiyuan city, has gone viral on Chinese social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo, where photos and videos show patrons cradling the cubs like human babies.

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China has recently lifted a ban on seafood imports from most regions of Japan, marking a significant step in resolving a longstanding dispute over Tokyo's handling of nuclear wastewater. The ban, imposed in 2023 amidst environmental and safety concerns linked to Fukushima's treated wastewater, has now been conditionally eased, excluding imports from 10 of Japan's 47 prefectures, including Tokyo and Fukushima.

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A team of British engineers is undertaking repairs on a stranded F-35B fighter jet in India, highlighting international cooperation in maintaining advanced military technology. The 14-member team is working to fix the state-of-the-art jet, which was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala on June 14 due to bad weather experienced during a sortie over the Indian Ocean.

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After a sharp escalation of tensions, Iran's parliament has approved a motion to close the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world's most critical oil arteries. The move follows the United States' deployment of six bunker buster bombs on Iran's Fordow nuclear site and coordinated strikes on two other nuclear facilities, igniting fears of a broader regional conflict and threatening up to 20% of the world's daily oil supply.

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As global powers vie for influence in Africa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday unveiled plans to deepen ties between India and the continent, seeking to expand New Delhi's economic presence. In a speech to Ghana's parliament, Modi highlighted the India Export-Import Bank-financed rail project opened last year and underscored India's increasing diplomatic, development, and business engagement across Africa.