ASIA

FIVE PEOPLE CONFIRMED DEAD AFTER INDONESIAN FERRY BURSTS INTO FLAMES MID-SEA

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At least five people, including a pregnant woman, died after a passenger ferry caught fire at sea off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Sunday July 20. The vessel, identified as KM Barcelona 5, was en route from Talaud Islands to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, when the fire broke out near Talise Island.

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SAMSUNG BOSS ACQUITTED OF FRAUD CHARGES

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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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CHINA IMPOSES EXPORT CURBS ON EV BATTERY TECHNOLOGY

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China has introduced new export controls on critical electric vehicle (EV) battery technologies, a move that is likely to intensify the ongoing global competition over clean energy resources and innovation. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has mandated government approval for the overseas transfer of specific technologies related to lithium processing and the production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries—key components in the global EV supply chain.

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LION CUB CUDDLES AND AFTERNOON TEA IN CHINA SPARK OUTRAGE OVER ANIMAL WELFARE

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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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NORTH KOREA BARS FOREIGNERS FROM NEW SEASIDE RESORT

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Despite previous promotion as a destination for both locals and foreigners, North Korea has announced that its newly opened Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone will not be receiving foreign tourists. The resort, which opened on July 1st, was touted as a key part of Kim Jong Un's efforts to boost tourism, but a notice on North Korea's tourism website says that foreign visits are "temporarily" prohibited.

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REPAIRS UNDERWAY ON UK FIGHTER JET STUCK IN INDIA

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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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NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS DEBUT IN K-POP GROUP

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A groundbreaking new K-pop group named 1VERSE has made its debut with two of its five members being defectors from North Korea. The group, consisting of Hyuk, Seok, Aito, Nathan, and Kenny, released its first album Friday, capturing global attention not only for its music but also for the powerful story behind it.

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MODI PROMOTES INDIA-AFRICA TIES DURING GHANA VISIT

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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.

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