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Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a central figure in Pyongyang’s foreign policy, has launched a fierce verbal attack against the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) following calls for the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. In an official statement published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), she condemned the position adopted at last week’s annual ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila as “stupid and foolish”, dismissing regional hopes for nuclear disarmament as an outdated delusion. The dispute was triggered by the release of the ASEAN Regional Forum chair’s statement, in which foreign ministers from across the Indo-Pacific region expressed grave concern over North Korea’s continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. The joint declaration urged compliance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and called for international dialogue to achieve lasting peace and stability through a peaceful, denuclearised peninsula. Kim Yo Jong expressed strong dissatisfaction with the bloc, accusing ASEAN of displaying an undisguised hostile attitude and acting as a hired mouthpiece for the United States. She argued that adhering to the concept of denuclearisation represents a complete failure of strategic logic, stating that the objective has lost all meaning both conceptually and practically. She further accused the regional body of ignoring North Korea’s national constitution, which was updated in 2023 to formally enshrine its status as a nuclear-armed state. Pyongyang has maintained for years that its nuclear arsenal serves as an essential deterrence mechanism to protect national sovereignty, despite facing heavy international sanctions and prohibitions from the UN Security Council. Reaffirming the regime’s stance that its nuclear capabilities represent a “line of no retreat”, Kim Yo Jong emphasised that North Korea’s nuclear status is final and completely irreversible, adding that its arsenal will continue to be updated steadily without pause regardless of external pressure or diplomatic rhetoric.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has denounced Washington’s escalating pressure campaign against Cuba as a “genocidal policy”, alleging that the United States is seeking to “appropriate” the nation. Speaking in Pinar del Río during the 73rd anniversary of the Moncada Barracks assault, Díaz-Canel stated that “Cuba is today waging a historic battle … against the walls of a genocidal policy whose objective is to suffocate an entire people in order to appropriate the country”. He further described the US blockade as “a weapon of war” that “causes deaths” and accused Washington of attempting to trigger a “social explosion with the sole aim of installing governments aligned with its imperial interests”. The sharp condemnation comes amid severe energy shortages, rolling blackouts, and financial distress brought on by expanded US sanctions, an oil blockade, and recent restrictions targeting Cuba’s overseas medical missions program. While Washington maintains that Cuba poses a regional security threat, Díaz-Canel called for national unity and the implementation of recent economic reforms, reaffirming that Cuba’s political model remains non-negotiable.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his first official visit with a foreign leader since taking office, reaffirming Britain’s unwavering support for Kyiv. The two leaders visited a UK naval base to meet armed forces personnel involved in training Ukrainian service members for Black Sea maritime security and counter-mine operations. During the visit, London announced it would share the intellectual property for “Stone Cloak”, a new military-grade electronic jamming technology designed for drones to evade Russian air defence tracking. The UK confirmed its total support for Ukraine has reached £25 billion since the start of the conflict, with Zelensky scheduled to travel onward to Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump.

An Australian court has rejected far-right politician Pauline Hanson’s appeal against a racial vilification ruling. The case relates to comments Hanson made about Pakistan-born Australian Senator Mehreen Faruqi in 2022. Faruqi had criticised the British Empire after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. She said she could not mourn the former monarch because of the empire’s history of colonisation. Hanson responded with a social media post directed at Faruqi. She criticised Faruqi for living in Australia and told her to return to Pakistan. Faruqi later filed a complaint over the remarks. The Federal Court ruled in 2024 that Hanson’s comments amounted to racial vilification. The court said the remarks were reasonably likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate Faruqi. The court also said the comments could affect Muslim Australians and other people from migrant backgrounds. Hanson challenged the ruling. She argued that her comments did not violate Australia’s racial discrimination laws. She also argued that the relevant legislation was constitutionally invalid. The court rejected her appeal on Monday. The earlier finding against Hanson therefore remains in place. Hanson defended her position after the decision. She said she was angry about Faruqi’s comments concerning the late queen. She maintained that she had wanted to criticise what she considered disrespectful remarks. The case has renewed debate over political speech and racial discrimination in Australia. It also highlights the legal restrictions surrounding comments about race, religion and migrant backgrounds. Faruqi is a senator representing the Greens. She has been active on issues including human rights, immigration and racial equality. Hanson leads One Nation. The party has built its political support around strict immigration policies and stronger measures against illegal migration. Hanson has also called for major reductions in government spending. She has promoted proposals aimed at cutting public expenditure. The politician has further urged Australia to reconsider its membership of some international organisations. The court decision comes as One Nation continues to attract significant political support. Hanson remains one of Australia’s most recognisable figures on the political right. The ruling could add to the wider national discussion over the balance between freedom of expression and protection against racial discrimination. It also reinforces the legal risks politicians can face when public statements target people based on their race, religion or migrant background.

SEATTLE: Three people were killed and four others, including a toddler, were wounded after gunfire erupted at a food festival in downtown Seattle, US authorities said. The shooting took place on Sunday evening at Seattle Center, where the annual Bite of Seattle food festival was being held. Police said one suspect was taken into custody following the incident. Investigators believe another person may have been involved and were searching for the second suspect. Seattle Police Department Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis said one of the injured victims later died in hospital. The death raised the confirmed toll to three. The four surviving victims were receiving medical treatment and were reported to be in stable condition. Witnesses said several gunshots were heard at around 6pm local time. The sound of gunfire caused panic at the busy festival, which had attracted visitors for food and entertainment. Police quickly responded to the scene and secured the area. Officers established a perimeter while emergency teams treated the injured and investigators began collecting evidence. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the victims. The circumstances that led to the shooting also remain under investigation. Officials are working to determine whether the incident was targeted or resulted from another dispute. Police have not yet provided a clear motive. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson condemned the shooting as a horrific act of violence. She expressed sympathy for the victims, their families and others affected by the incident. The shooting occurred during a public event intended to bring people together for food, culture and entertainment. The violence has therefore caused widespread shock among residents and festival attendees. Authorities are continuing their investigation and have urged anyone with information about the shooting to cooperate with investigators.

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s central bank governor Perry Warjiyo has unexpectedly stepped down, raising concerns among investors about the future independence of monetary policy and the stability of financial markets. President Prabowo Subianto accepted Warjiyo’s resignation on Monday. The government said the governor resigned for personal reasons. Destry Damayanti, a senior deputy governor at Bank Indonesia (BI), has been appointed interim governor. She has pledged to maintain continuity and ensure that the central bank continues carrying out its responsibilities. The surprise resignation came at a sensitive time for Indonesia’s economy. Bank Indonesia has faced growing pressure to support the government’s ambitious economic growth plans. The Indonesian rupiah has also faced significant pressure. It fell to a record low in June amid concerns over fiscal management and the independence of the central bank. Following news of Warjiyo’s departure, the rupiah weakened further. It fell as much as 0.36% to around 18,000 against the US dollar. Indonesia’s main stock index also moved between gains and losses during volatile trading. Analysts warned that the sudden leadership change could unsettle investors. Some economists said concerns could increase if the next permanent governor is seen as closely aligned with the government. They stressed that Bank Indonesia’s independence is important for maintaining investor confidence and stable monetary policy. Warjiyo submitted his resignation to the president on Saturday. Officials did not provide further details about his personal reasons. Warjiyo has spent decades at Bank Indonesia. He joined the institution in 1984 and was appointed governor for the first time in 2018. He was reappointed in 2023 for another five-year term. The appointment of his permanent successor will require both presidential and parliamentary approval. The president will nominate a candidate, who will then face a parliamentary suitability review before a final decision is made. The government has not yet submitted a permanent nomination. Officials have urged investors and other market participants to remain calm during the transition. They said the selection process would be conducted transparently and would not interfere with monetary policy or financial stability. Destry said the central bank would continue working to maintain rupiah stability and protect the country’s financial system. The leadership change comes after Indonesia introduced legislative changes affecting the central bank and other independent financial regulators. The new framework gives lawmakers greater authority to issue binding recommendations to these institutions. The changes have already raised questions about the level of Bank Indonesia’s independence. Credit rating agencies have also been monitoring developments surrounding the central bank’s mandate. Moody’s and Fitch previously highlighted concerns about changes to the institution’s role when they revised Indonesia’s credit outlook to negative. S&P Global Ratings, however, maintained a stable outlook this month. It said Bank Indonesia had maintained operational independence broadly comparable with other central banks in the region. Bank Indonesia has recently taken measures to support the rupiah and attract foreign investment. It unexpectedly kept interest rates unchanged last week while introducing new incentives aimed at encouraging capital inflows. The central bank had previously raised interest rates by a total of 100 basis points since May to support the currency. The latest resignation adds another layer of uncertainty for investors as the government seeks faster economic growth. Markets will now closely watch the selection of Warjiyo’s permanent successor. Investors are expected to assess whether the new leadership can maintain monetary stability while responding to the government’s economic priorities.

BERLIN: Germany is considering tougher rules for workers taking sick leave, but researchers warn that stricter requirements may not address the deeper reasons behind the country’s high absenteeism. German employees took an average of around 22 sick days in 2024. The figure is among the highest reported internationally. The government’s proposed changes are part of a wider effort to improve productivity. Germany is dealing with an ageing population and years of weak economic growth. Under the proposed changes, employers could require workers to provide a medical certificate from the first day of absence. Telephone-based sick notes could also be scrapped. However, researchers say the debate should focus on why workers are becoming ill rather than simply making it harder to take sick leave. Healthcare, education and social services are among the sectors reporting the highest levels of absenteeism. Workers in these fields often face heavy workloads. They also deal with staff shortages, emotional pressure and difficult working conditions. BKK data shows that women working in healthcare and social work took an average of 27 sick days in 2024. Teachers recorded around 24 days. The figures were lower in several other sectors. Workers in finance averaged about 18 days, while employees in communications recorded around 16 days. Researchers say mental health is an important part of the problem. Mental health-related cases represent a relatively small share of total sickness cases. However, they often result in much longer absences. Data from AOK shows that sick-leave days linked to mental health problems have increased by 47% since 2014. Mental health conditions are now one of the biggest causes of prolonged absence after respiratory illnesses. Experts say burnout and exhaustion can develop without reaching the level of a diagnosed mental disorder. Healthcare workers and teachers are particularly exposed to these pressures. They carry significant responsibilities while dealing with emotional and sometimes physical challenges. Teachers have reported violence and aggressive behaviour in schools. A 2024 survey found that almost half had experienced psychological or physical violence among pupils at their schools. More than one-third also reported feeling emotionally exhausted several times a week. Nursing faces similar difficulties. Germany has a shortage of healthcare workers, but studies indicate that wage growth has remained limited in some hospitals and public institutions. Researchers describe the situation as an imbalance between effort and reward. Workers face high demands but may receive relatively low pay, limited career opportunities and insufficient recognition. Studies have linked such conditions to mental health problems and long-term sickness absence. However, experts caution against blaming Germany’s absenteeism solely on workplace stress. Sick leave is affected by many factors. These include the age of the workforce, working conditions, social attitudes and differences in healthcare systems. Germany also has generous sick-pay provisions. Workers can generally receive full wages during the initial period of illness. Several other European countries, however, report even higher levels of sick leave among full-time employees. Researchers have also found little evidence of widespread abuse of sick-note rules. A study by DAK and the IGES Institute found that the sharp rise in recorded absences in 2022 was largely linked to improved electronic reporting and unusually high levels of respiratory infections and Covid-19. Sick-leave levels have since stabilised. Researchers also found no clear evidence that telephone sick notes introduced during the pandemic caused the increase. The government’s proposal has faced opposition from labour representatives. The Verdi services union has described the plan as creating a culture of distrust towards employees. Doctors have also warned that tougher certification requirements could put additional pressure on already busy medical practices. The government has defended its approach. It says employers would have the option of requiring certificates from the first day of illness while allowing companies to retain existing arrangements. The debate is therefore moving beyond the question of whether German workers take too many sick days. Researchers argue that reducing absenteeism in the long term may require better staffing, improved working conditions, stronger career prospects and greater support for workers facing emotional pressure.

Attention has shifted to Karyna Shuliak, the longtime girlfriend of convicted sex offender and disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein. The development comes years after Epstein died in a federal prison in 2019. His death brought an end to his criminal case but left behind a complicated estate and several legal disputes. Shuliak is now being described as a potential major beneficiary of Epstein’s remaining wealth. According to court documents, Epstein signed a new will just two days before his death. The document created a private trust known as the 1953 Trust. Recent court records reportedly show that Shuliak was included among the important beneficiaries of the trust. However, the exact amount she could receive remains uncertain. US Department of Justice records reportedly indicate that Shuliak was the last person Epstein spoke to outside prison before his death. Reports also say that Epstein made some of his final telephone calls to her while he was in custody. At the time of his death, Epstein’s estate was estimated to be worth around $600 million. A significant portion of that wealth has since been used to compensate people who accused Epstein of sexual abuse. More than $170 million was reportedly paid to over 200 victims through compensation arrangements. The estate has also faced several legal claims and settlements with government authorities. These matters have complicated the distribution of Epstein’s remaining assets. After a recent tax refund, the value of the estate’s remaining assets is estimated at between $120 million and $150 million. Despite being named as a potential beneficiary, Shuliak has not yet secured the inheritance. Payments connected to the trust remain suspended while legal proceedings continue. Richard Kahn, the executor of Epstein’s estate, has reportedly raised concerns about the wording of the trust agreement. He described the document as unclear and poorly prepared. The uncertainty has made it difficult to determine exactly how Epstein intended his remaining fortune to be divided. Legal experts say Shuliak’s potential inheritance cannot be confirmed until outstanding claims and court proceedings are resolved.