SOUTH KOREA

Some of the heaviest rain in decades swamped South Korea's capital region, turning streets into car-clogged rivers and sending floods cascading into subway stations.

Heavy rains drenched South Korea's capital region, turning the streets of Seoul's affluent Gangnam district into a river, leaving submerged vehicles and overwhelming public transport systems. (Hwang Kwang-mo/Yonhap via AP) (Hwang Kwang-mo)SEOUL, South Korea — (AP) — Some of the heaviest rain in decades swamped South Korea’s capital region, turning Seoul’s streets into car-clogged rivers and sending floods cascading into subway stations. More than 43 centimeters (17 inches) of rain was measured in Seoul’s hardest-hit Dongjak district from Monday to noon Tuesday. Three people were found dead in the debris of landslides and a collapsed bus station in the nearby cities of Gwangju and Hwaseong. Rainstorms also pounded North Korea, where authorities issued heavy rain warnings for the southern and western parts of the country.

South Korea Weather A vehicle sits damaged on a road after floating in heavy rainfall in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Heavy rains drenched South Korea's capital region, turning the streets of Seoul's affluent Gangnam district into a river, leaving submerged vehicles and overwhelming public transport systems. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)SEOUL, South Korea — (AP) — Some of the heaviest rain in decades swamped South Korea’s capital region, turning Seoul's streets into car-clogged rivers and sending floods cascading into subway stations. More than 43 centimeters (17 inches) of rain were measured in Seoul’s hardest-hit Dongjak district from Monday to noon Tuesday. Rainstorms also pounded North Korea, where authorities issued heavy rain warnings for the southern and western parts of the country.

Nighttime temperatures could double in some eastern Asian cities, according to a study researchers say is the first to estimate the impact of hotter nights on climate change-related mortality risks.

SEOUL, South Korea — (AP) — Heavy rains drenched South Korea's capital region, turning the streets of Seoul's affluent Gangnam district into a river, leaving submerged vehicles and overwhelming public transport systems. Commuters were slowly returning to work Tuesday morning after emergency crews worked overnight to clean up much of the mess. But there were concerns about further damage as torrential rain was forecast for the second day in a row. Two people were found dead in the debris of a collapsed bus station and a landslide in the nearby city of Gwangju. More than 42 centimeters (16.5 inches) of rain were measured in Seoul’s hardest-hit Dongjak district from Monday to 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Heavy rains have drenched South Korea’s capital region and killed at least seven people

Some of the heaviest rain in decades has swamped South Korea’s capital region, turning streets into car-clogged rivers and sending floods cascading into subway stations.

Heavy rains drenched South Korea's capital region, turning the streets of Seoul's affluent Gangnam district into a river, leaving submerged vehicles and overwhelming public transport systems. While most of the Seoul metropolitan area’s subway services were back to normal operations, around 80 roads and dozens of riverside parking lots remained closed due to safety concerns. President Yoon Suk Yeol had called for public employers and private companies to adjust their commuting hours and urged aggressive action in restoring damaged facilities and evacuating people in danger areas to prevent further deaths.

Asian stocks were mixed Monday after strong U.S. jobs data cleared the way for more interest rate hikes and Chinese exports rose by double digits. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)BEIJING — (AP) — Global stocks gained Monday after strong U.S. jobs data cleared the way for more interest rate hikes and Chinese exports rose by double digits. Wall Street's benchmark S&P 500 lost 0.2% on Friday after government data showed American employers added more jobs than expected in June. That undercut expectations a slowing economy might prompt the Fed to postpone or scale back plans for more rate hikes to cool inflation. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong fell 0.8% to 20,050.15 while the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo gained 0.2% to 26.241.13.

Asian stocks were mixed Monday after strong U.S. jobs data cleared the way for more interest rate hikes and Chinese exports rose by double digits. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)BEIJING — (AP) — Asian stocks were mixed Monday after strong U.S. jobs data cleared the way for more interest rate hikes and Chinese exports rose by double digits. Wall Street's benchmark S&P 500 lost 0.2% on Friday after government data showed American employers added more jobs than expected in June. That undercut expectations a slowing economy might prompt the Fed to postpone or scale back plans for more rate hikes to cool inflation. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.2% to 3,233.07 after China's July exports beat forecasts.

Asian stock markets are mixed after strong U.S. jobs data cleared the way for more interest rate hikes and China reported Monday that its exports rose by double digits.

Asian stocks were mixed Monday after strong U.S. jobs data cleared the way for more interest rate hikes and Chinese exports rose by double digits. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)BEIJING — (AP) — Asian stocks were mixed on Monday after strong U.S. jobs data cleared the way for more interest rate hikes and China reported its exports rose by double digits. Wall Street's benchmark S&P 500 lost 0.2% on Friday after government data showed American employers added more jobs than expected in June. That undercut expectations a slowing economy might prompt the Fed to postpone or scale back plans for more rate hikes to cool inflation. The Shanghai Composite Index shed less than 0.1% to 3,226.04 after China's July exports rose 18%, beating forecasts.

Asian stock markets rose Friday ahead of U.S. job market data that might influence Federal Reserve decisions about further interest rate hikes. The S&P 500 is off 0.8% at the opening bell and the Nasdaq is down by more than a percent. Labor Department figures show U.S. employers added 528,000 jobs last month, restoring all the jobs lost in the coronavirus recession, while unemployment fell to the lowest since the pandemic erupted in early 2020. Investors worry rate hikes by the Fed and other central banks in Europe and Asia to tame inflation that is running at multi-decade highs might derail economic growth. Jakarta advanced 0.4% after Indonesia's economy grew by a stronger-than-expected 5.4% over a year earlier in the latest quarter.

Asian stock markets rose Friday ahead of U.S. job market data that might influence Federal Reserve decisions about further interest rate hikes. Yields had been pulling back in expectations the Fed could ease up somewhat on the pace of rate hikes as the U.S. economy slowed, giving a boost to the stock market. Investors worry rate hikes by the Fed and other central banks in Europe and Asia to tame inflation that is running at multi-decade highs might derail economic growth. India's Sensex rose 0.1% to 58,381.11 after the Reserve Bank of India raised its benchmark interest rate by a half percentage point to 5.4%. Jakarta advanced 0.4% after Indonesia's economy grew by a stronger-than-expected 5.4% over a year earlier in the latest quarter.

Asian stock markets rose Friday ahead of U.S. job market data that might influence Federal Reserve decisions about further interest rate hikes. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)BEIJING — (AP) — Global stock markets and Wall Street futures were mixed Friday ahead of an update on the U.S. jobs market while the Federal Reserve weighs whether more rate hikes are needed to cool surging inflation. Investors were looking ahead to monthly U.S. employment numbers for possible signs of weakness that might prompt the Fed to decide it needs to ease off on rate hikes to cool inflation. First-time applications generally reflect layoffs, but forecasters still see the job market one of the strongest parts of the economy. In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude gained 12 cents to $88.66 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Asian stock markets rose Friday ahead of U.S. job market data that might influence Federal Reserve decisions about further interest rate hikes. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)BEIJING — (AP) — Asian stock markets rose Friday ahead of an update on the U.S. jobs market while the Federal Reserve weighs whether more rate hikes are needed to cool surging inflation. Investors were looking ahead to monthly U.S. employment numbers for possible signs of weakness that might prompt the Fed to decide it needs to ease off on rate hikes to cool inflation. New Zealand declined while Southeast Asian markets rose. In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude gained 42 cents to $88.96 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Asian stock markets are higher ahead of an update on the health of the U.S. jobs market while the Federal Reserve weighs whether more rate hikes are needed to cool surging inflation.

Asian stock markets rose Friday ahead of U.S. job market data that might influence Federal Reserve decisions about further interest rate hikes. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)BEIJING — (AP) — Asian stock markets rose Friday ahead of an update on the health of the U.S. jobs market while the Federal Reserve weighs whether more rate hikes are needed to cool surging inflation. Investors were looking ahead to monthly U.S. employment numbers for signs of weakness that might prompt the Fed to decide it needs to ease off on aggressive rate hikes to cool inflation. The number of Americans who applied for jobless benefits last week rose by a modest 6,000 from the previous week to 260,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. First-time applications generally reflect layoffs, but forecasters still see the job market one of the strongest parts of the economy.

The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO), also known as Danuri, lifted off today (Aug. 4) atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, kicking off South Korea's first-ever deep-space mission.

The satellite launched by SpaceX is taking a long, roundabout path to conserve fuel and will arrive in December. And NASA is next up with the debut of its mega moon rocket in late August. In June, South Korea successfully launched a package of satellites into orbit around Earth for the first time using its own rocket. And in May, South Korea joined a NASA-led coalition to explore the moon with astronauts in the coming years and decades. South Korea plans to land its own spacecraft on the moon — a robotic probe — by 2030 or so.

South Korea is on its way to the moon.

The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Thursday (Aug. 4) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Asian shares mostly rose Thursday as investors welcomed encouraging economic data and quarterly earnings reports from big companies. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)TOKYO — (AP) — Global shares were mostly higher Thursday as investors welcomed encouraging economic data and quarterly earnings reports from big companies. European shares mostly headed higher in early trading. Benchmarks advanced in Asia as jitters eased over U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. France's CAC 40 added 0.5% in early trading to 6,501.54, while Germany's DAX gained 0.7% to 13,688.05.

Asian shares mostly rose Thursday as investors welcomed encouraging economic data and quarterly earnings reports from big companies. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)TOKYO — (AP) — Asian shares were mostly higher Thursday as investors welcomed encouraging economic data and quarterly earnings reports from big companies. Benchmarks rose in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul but fell in Taiwan and India. The weak data, though, also shows the risk of a recession as the Fed puts the brake on the economy. Markets are also watching for potential economic fallout from China after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

Asian shares are mostly higher as investors welcome encouraging economic data and quarterly earnings reports from big companies.

Asian shares mostly rose Thursday as investors welcomed encouraging economic data and quarterly earnings reports from big companies. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)TOKYO — (AP) — Asian shares mostly rose Thursday as investors welcomed encouraging economic data and quarterly earnings reports from big companies. Drugstore chain CVS rose 6.3% after reporting solid financial results and raising its profit forecast for the year. Starbucks rose 4.3% after also reporting solid financial results. Markets are also watching for potential economic fallout from China after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

Taiwan Asia Pelosi In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, center left, and Taiwanese President President Tsai Ing-wen arrive for a meeting in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP) (Uncredited)TAIPEI, Taiwan — (AP) — U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi departed Taiwan on Wednesday after meeting with the president and other officials in a visit that heightened tensions with China. China staged military drills after her arrival and called her visit a provocation that infringes on its sovereignty. “Today the world faces a choice between democracy and autocracy,” she said in a short speech during a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. She is the first speaker of the House to visit Taiwan in 25 years, since Newt Gingrich in 1997.

The first South Korean mission to go beyond Earth orbit will do recon of the moon in advance of a future lander mission.

Japan World Heritage Shinsuke Suematsu, the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Thursday, July 28, 2022. Japan’s push to register a controversial former gold mine on Sado Island for a UNESCO World Heritage list is now being delayed because of insufficiency in the application, officials said. (Kyodo News via AP) (Uncredited)TOKYO — (AP) — Japan's push to obtain UNESCO World Heritage recognition for a former gold mine key to the nation's industrialization will be delayed because its application was insufficient, officials said Thursday. South Korea opposed the registration as inappropriate because of Japan's wartime abuse of Korean laborers. The town and Niigata prefectural sites praise the Sado Island mine for mining technology development before and after industrialization.

Asian stock markets followed Wall Street lower Wednesday as traders prepared for a possible sharp interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve to cool inflation. (asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)Wall Street futures advanced Wednesday as traders prepared for what most expect to be a sharp interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve to cool surging inflation. Boeing shares rose 3.2% in premarket after the aerospace company said it delivered more planes in the first quarter than it has since the start of the pandemic. Shares of technology heavyweights Microsoft and Google parent Alphabet rose after their latest quarterly reports. The Fed on Wednesday is expected to announce an increase of up to three-quarters of a percentage point in its benchmark interest rate, triple its usual margin.

Boeing shares rose 3.2% in premarket after the aerospace company said it delivered more planes in the first quarter than it has since the start of the pandemic. The Fed on Wednesday is expected to announce an increase of up to three-quarters of a percentage point in its benchmark interest rate, triple its usual margin. Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 added 0.2% to 6,823.20 after data showed Australian inflation rose to 6.1% in the latest quarter from 5.1% but the increase was smaller than forecast. Walmart shares fell 7.6% and dragged Target, Macy's and Kohl's along with it. In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude rose 99 cents to $95.97 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Asian stock markets followed Wall Street lower Wednesday as traders prepared for a possible sharp interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve to cool inflation. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (Lee Jin-man)BEIJING — (AP) — Major global stock markets and Wall Street futures advanced Wednesday as traders prepared for a possible sharp interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve to cool surging inflation. The Fed on Wednesday is expected to announce an increase of up to three-quarters of a percentage point in its benchmark interest rate, triple its usual margin. Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 added 0.2% to 6,823.20 after data showed Australian inflation rose to 6.1% in the latest quarter from 5.1% but the increase was smaller than forecast. On Wall Street, other major retailers also fell Tuesday following Walmart's profit warning.

BEIJING — (AP) — Asian stock markets followed Wall Street lower Wednesday as traders prepared for a possible sharp interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve to cool inflation. Wall Street tumbled Tuesday after Walmart warned that inflation that has spiked to a four-decade high of 9.1% is hurting American consumer spending. The Fed is expected to announce a rate hike Wednesday of up to three-quarters of a percentage point, triple its usual margin. Costerg said most economic indicators and lower commodity prices already point to slower inflation ahead. General Motors fell 3.4% after its second-quarter profit fell 40% from a year ago.

Asian stock markets followed Wall Street lower Wednesday as traders prepared for a possible sharp interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve to cool inflation. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (Lee Jin-man)BEIJING — (AP) — Asian stock markets followed Wall Street lower Wednesday as traders prepared for a possible sharp interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve to cool inflation. Wall Street tumbled Tuesday after Walmart warned inflation that has spiked to a four-decade high of 9.1% is hurting American consumer spending. On Wall Street, the benchmark S&P 500 index fell 1.2% to 3,921.05. General Motors fell 3.4% after its second-quarter profit fell 40% from a year ago.

The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, also known as Danuri, is scheduled to launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket next Tuesday (Aug. 2).

Asian stock markets have followed Wall Street lower as traders prepared for a possible sharp interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve to cool inflation.

Asian stock markets were mostly higher Tuesday as investors braced for another sharp interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve to cool inflation. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)BEIJING — (AP) — Asian stock markets were mostly higher Tuesday as investors braced for another sharp interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve to cool inflation. The move would make Alibaba a dual-primary listed company on the New York Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Alibaba went public in New York in September 2014 and completed a secondary listing in Hong Kong in November 2019. Fed officials who have publicly supported a rate hike also cite a relatively strong job market as evidence the economy can stand higher borrowing costs.

Asian shares mostly slipped Thursday, as optimism was tempered by persistent concerns about inflation and the Chinese economy, despite the rally on Wall Street. On Wall Street, the future for the S&P 500 slipped 0.2% lower while that for the Dow industrials was down 0.3%. Imports for the six months shrank nearly 38% to 53.86 trillion yen ($390 billion), while exports grew 15% to 45.94 trillion yen ($332 billion). “After the strong showing in Wall Street over the past two days, particularly so for tech stocks, markets may take somewhat of a breather. On Wednesday, Wall Street ended with gains as investors welcomed another batch of encouraging profit reports from U.S. companies.

Asian shares mostly slipped Thursday, as optimism was tempered by persistent concerns about inflation and the Chinese economy, despite the rally on Wall Street. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)TOKYO — (AP) — Asian shares were mixed Thursday as optimism over earnings was tempered by persistent concerns about inflation and the Chinese economy, despite an overnight rally on Wall Street. “After the strong showing in Wall Street over the past two days, particularly so for tech stocks, markets may take somewhat of a breather. “Inflation concerns, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and lingering caution over the pandemic are adding fuel to recession fears and weighing on the outlook for companies," he said in a report. Wall Street ended Wednesday with gains as investors welcomed another batch of encouraging profit reports from U.S. companies.

Asian shares have mostly fallen on persistent concerns about inflation and the Chinese economy, despite an overnight rally on Wall Street.

Asian shares mostly slipped Thursday, as optimism was tempered by persistent concerns about inflation and the Chinese economy, despite the rally on Wall Street. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)TOKYO — (AP) — Asian shares mostly slipped Thursday as optimism over earnings was tempered by persistent concerns about inflation and the Chinese economy, despite an overnight rally on Wall Street. “After the strong showing in Wall Street over the past two days, particularly so for tech stocks, markets may take somewhat of a breather. “Inflation concerns, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and lingering caution over the pandemic are adding fuel to recession fears and weighing on the outlook for companies," he said in a report. Wall Street ended Wednesday with gains as investors welcomed another batch of encouraging profit reports from U.S. companies.

Asian shares advanced Wednesday after Wall Street rallied to its best day in more than three weeks as companies reported strong profits for the past quarter. On Wall Street, the futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow industrials were 0.2% higher. Investors are watching for signs that decades-high inflation may be peaking, he said, as major central bank meet and companies release another batch of corporate earnings. The European Central Bank is expected to raise interest rates on Thursday for the first time in 11 years in hopes of knocking down high inflation. Japan's central bank also meets this week but is not expected to make any major policy changes.

Asian shares advanced Wednesday after Wall Street rallied to its best day in more than three weeks as companies reported strong profits for the past quarter. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (Lee Jin-man)BANGKOK — (AP) — Asian shares advanced Wednesday after Wall Street rallied to its best day in more than three weeks as companies reported strong profits for the past quarter. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 jumped 2.7% to 27,680.26, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong gained 1.5% to 20,966.48. Netflix jumped 8% in after-hours trading after the company reported better-than expected results and a smaller subscriber loss than analysts had feared. Expectations for economic growth and profits have darkened according to a Bank of America monthly survey of global fund managers.

Asian shares have advanced after Wall Street rallied to its best day in more than three weeks as companies reported strong profits for the past quarter.

Asian shares advanced Wednesday after Wall Street rallied to its best day in more than three weeks as companies reported strong profits for the past quarter. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (Lee Jin-man)BANGKOK — (AP) — Asian shares advanced Wednesday after Wall Street rallied to its best day in more than three weeks as companies reported strong profits for the past quarter. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 jumped 2.5% to 27,631.50 while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong gained 2% to 21,068.85. Netflix jumped 8% in after-hours trading after the company reported better-than expected results and a smaller subscriber loss than analysts had feared. Expectations for economic growth and profits have darkened according to a Bank of America monthly survey of global fund managers.

A resident of a newly built apartment building in South Korea began noticing an odor coming from their master bedroom’s closet that became increasingly worse, later discovering three bags of human feces hidden inside a space in the ceiling. The apartment building, located in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi province, had only recently been built. As new residents began to move in, one noticed a “strong stench” coming from the walls of the master bedroom’s closet.

the Road Hole. "It's kind of funny when I look back at some of the historic videos of the guys playing out of the Road Hole bunker, and it really wasn't that deep," Woods said on Tuesday. Si Woo Kim found himself in the Road Hole bunker on Thursday, and the clouds were gathering. And then his first attempt to clear the revetted bunker left him pinned up against the left wall of the deep, deep hole. He was in danger of watching a lovely three-under round evaporate, one of so many days sunk by the venomous, vengeful Road Hole.

The S&P 500 fell 1.9%. BEIJING (AP) — Global stocks and Wall Street futures sank Thursday after higher U.S. inflation stoked expectations of more rate hikes that investors worry will chill economic growth. Wall Street's benchmark S&P 500 index declined after data Wednesday showed U.S. consumer inflation accelerated to 9.1% in June over a year earlier from May's 8.6%. The CAC 40 in Paris declined declined 1.1% to 5,933.53. On Wall Street, futures for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average were off 0.7%.

Asian stock markets rose Thursday despite a record-setting U.S. inflation report that pointed to more possible interest rate hikes that investors worry will chill economic growth. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)BEIJING — (AP) — Global stocks and Wall Street futures sank Thursday after higher U.S. inflation stoked expectations of more rate hikes that investors worry will chill economic growth. Investors worry aggressive action by the Fed and other central banks to cool inflation that is at four-decade highs might derail global growth. “Growth fears are hitting the markets harder than inflation concerns,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a report. The CAC 40 in Paris declined declined 1.1% to 5,933.53.

South Korea Financial Markets A currency trader watches monitors at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, July 14, 2022. Asian stock markets rose Thursday despite a record-setting U.S. inflation report that pointed to more possible interest rate hikes that investors worry will chill economic growth. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)BEIJING — (AP) — Asian stock markets rose Thursday after higher U.S. inflation stoked expectations of more rate hikes that investors worry will chill economic growth. “Growth fears are hitting the markets harder than inflation concerns,” said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management in a report. The Federal Reserve and central banks in Britain, South Korea and some other countries have hiked rates to cool surging prices.

The few central bankers who spotted inflation risks quickly won’t get credit if they need to ease back as recession looms.

SEOUL, South Korea — (AP) — Health officials in South Korea are expanding booster shots to adults 50 and over as COVID-19 cases creep up again across the country. South Korea had previously given second booster shots to people who are 60 or older and those with compromised immune systems. However, they don’t have immediate plans to meaningfully elevate social distancing restrictions, which have been effectively stripped down to an indoor mask mandate over the past months. Baek, the commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said the government will focus on expanding booster shots and securing larger supplies of antiviral pills to suppress hospitalizations and deaths. She said a return to stringent social distancing will be considered as a last resort, considering the weak economy, but pleaded for people to cancel unnecessary meetings and travel.

Health officials in South Korea are expanding booster shots to adults 50 and over as COVID-19 cases creep up again across the country

Health officials in South Korea are expanding booster shots to adults 50 and over as COVID-19 cases creep up again across the country.

Asian stock markets rose Wednesday as investors waited for U.S. inflation data some worry might lead to more interest rate hikes. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)BEIJING — (AP) — Asian stock markets rose Wednesday as investors waited for U.S. inflation data some worry might lead to more interest rate hikes. Wall Street's benchmark S&P 500 index declined Tuesday ahead of the government's release of data on June consumer prices. Investors worry U.S. and European central bank action to cool inflation that is running at a four-decade high might derail global economic growth. New Zealand’s central bank also lifted its benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point to 2.5%.

Asian stock markets are higher as investors wait for U.S. inflation data some worry might lead to more interest rate hikes.

Asian stock markets rose Wednesday as investors waited for U.S. inflation data some worry might lead to more interest rate hikes. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (Ahn Young-joon)BEIJING — (AP) — Asian stock markets rose Wednesday as investors waited for U.S. inflation data some worry might lead to more interest rate hikes. Wall Street's benchmark S&P 500 index declined Tuesday ahead of the government's release of data on June consumer prices and company results. Investors worry U.S. and European central bank action to cool inflation that is running at a four-decade high might derail global economic growth. New Zealand’s central bank on Wednesday lifted its benchmark interest rate half a percentage point to 2.5% as it attempts to dampen inflation.

Japan Abe Unification Church Tomihiro Tanaka, head of the Japan branch of South Korea’s Unification Church, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, July 11, 2022. Japanese media reports have cited large donations by the mother and her subsequent bankruptcy as a possible motive. Although police have not identified the church, Japanese media reports pointed to the Unification Church in Japan, also known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, founded by the late Sun Myung Moon. The news conference was livestreamed by Japanese media company Abema, and parts of it were carried on Japanese TV broadcasts. The Unification Church has been embroiled in some controversy over the years.

The assassinated Japanese leader was the visionary architect of a vital security alliance in the Asian-Pacific.

Asian stock markets gained Thursday after the Federal Reserve said higher U.S. interest rates might be needed to cool inflation. Oil prices edged up after falling below $100 per barrel this week. Investors worry aggressive U.S. and European rate hikes to contain prices rises that are running at a four-decade high might depress global economic activity. “Stocks rose because runaway commodity and oil prices are sinking,” said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management. Oil prices closed below $100 per barrel on Tuesday for the first time since early May, but U.S. crude is still up more than 30% this year.

Asian stock markets are higher after the Federal Reserve said more U.S. interest rate hikes might be needed to cool inflation.

Asian stock markets are mixed after the U.S. economy contracted and China reported stronger factory activity.

Novak Djokovic’s play was not particularly perfect at Wimbledon.

In Gee Chun shot a 3-under 69 to lead by six strokes after the second round of the Women’s PGA Championship.

Asian stock markets are mixed after Wall Street edged lower amid fears higher interest rates will chill global economic activity.

South Korea says it has conducted its first successful satellite launch using a domestically developed rocket.

An 18-year-old from South Korea has won the 16th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, one of the top showcases for the world’s best pianists.

North Korea's state media say leader Kim Jong Un and his top deputies are pushing for a crackdown on officials who abuse their power and commit other “unsound and non-revolutionary acts."

Joo-Rei Mathieson was one of the lucky kids, escaping a brutal South Korean facility where thousands of children and adults — mostly grabbed off the streets — were enslaved and often killed, raped and beaten in the 1970s and 1980s.

Asian shares have risen amid mixed signs for investors such as rising energy prices and COVID-19 restrictions easing in China.

Asian shares are mostly lower, echoing a decline on Wall Street as investors fret about higher interest rates and rising coronavirus cases in parts of the region.

BTS will reveal their gradual journey to becoming K-pop superstars through a new Apple Music weekly limited series.

China and Russia have vetoed a U.N. resolution sponsored by the United States that would have imposed tough new sanctions on North Korea for its spate of intercontinental ballistic missile launches that can be used to deliver nuclear weapons.

Asian stock markets are mixed after Wall Street sank on weak U.S. housing sales and a profit warning by a prominent social media brand.

President Joe Biden says cases of monkeypox are “something that everybody should be concerned about.”.

President Joe Biden has signed legislation granting Ukraine another $40 billion in U.S. support as it continues to battle a Russian invasion.

Asian stock markets have advanced after Wall Street fell closer to bear territory, China cut a key interest rate and Japanese inflation rose.

President Joe Biden hopes to use his visit to Asia to confirm his belief that long-standing friendships can afford to become even friendlier — and pay dividends.

Asian shares have bounced back after losses earlier in the week, shrugging off the latest data showing U.S. wholesale prices soared 11% in April from a year earlier.

Shares have declined in Asia following the release of U.S. inflation data that was worse than expected.

The Senate has voted to confirm Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F.

Asian shares are mixed in light “Golden Week" trading with markets in China, Japan and some other countries closed for holidays.

South Korea will ease its outdoor mask mandate starting next week as COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations continue to decline.

Asian shares have mostly retreated, tracking losses on Wall Street after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated increases in interest rates must be faster to fight inflation.

Shares are mostly lower in Asia after China reported that its economy expanded at a 4.8% annual pace in the last quarter.

North Korea says it has successfully test-launched a newly developed tactical guided weapon.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has attended a massive civilian parade in the capital Pyongyang to celebrate a milestone birth anniversary of his state-founding grandfather.

South Korea will remove most pandemic restrictions, including indoor gathering limits, as it slowly wiggles out of an omicron outbreak officials say is stabilizing.

Asian shares are mostly higher after an advance on Wall Street that ended a three-day losing streak.

Shares are mostly lower in Asia and oil prices have risen after a tech-driven rally on Wall Street.

South Korea will ease some of its pandemic restrictions starting next week as officials express cautious hope the worst of its omicron outbreak has passed.

Asian stock markets are lower after Chinese manufacturing weakened and Russian shelling around Ukraine’s capital jolted hopes of progress in peace talks.

Former President Park Geun-hye went home three months after being pardoned for one of South Korea’s worst government-corruption scandals.

Asian shares have gained following a rally on Wall Street led by technology companies, although investor concerns persist about the war in Ukraine and inflation.

Stocks have fallen in Asia following a retreat on Wall Street as crude oil prices rose sharply.

Officials in South Korea tried to calm public fears amid concerns about a faltering pandemic response as daily cases and deaths reached record highs Thursday.

South Korea’s president-elect Yoon Suk Yeol says he would solidify an alliance with the United States, build up a powerful military and sternly cope with North Korean provocations.

The United States and 10 other countries are condemning North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launch and urging the U.N. Security Council to act.

Asian stock markets have rebounded and oil prices climbed after the head of the Federal Reserve said he supports a smaller rise in interest rates than some expected.

Asian shares are mostly higher after U.S. stocks recovered toward the end of a wild trading day, as the world slapped sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.