south korea heatwave
|

South Korea heatwave death toll rises to 16

ByJustpaste.in

South Korea is facing an intense heatwave that has claimed at least 16 lives so far this year, as soaring temperatures continue to put millions of people at risk.

According to data released by the South Korean Ministry of the Interior and Safety, 2,025 people suffered from heat-related illnesses between May 15 and August 2. Of those affected, 16 people died from complications linked to the extreme heat.

The country has experienced a sharp rise in temperatures over the past week, with daily heat records broken three times. On Sunday, the city of Yangsan recorded a temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius, marking the highest temperature ever recorded in South Korea.

Authorities have also issued a severe heatwave warning for the capital, Seoul, where temperatures are expected to climb close to 40 degrees Celsius again. Officials have urged residents to take precautions, particularly during the hottest hours of the day, and to stay hydrated while limiting outdoor activities.

The extreme weather has raised concerns for vulnerable groups, including older adults and people with disabilities. To protect those most at risk, medical workers are monitoring the health of around 63,000 highly vulnerable individuals across the country.

Officials are encouraging citizens to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, drink plenty of water and seek medical assistance if they experience symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, confusion or unusually high body temperature.

The latest figures highlight the growing impact of the prolonged heatwave, with authorities continuing to closely monitor conditions and take measures to reduce the risks associated with extreme temperatures.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Pakistan High Commission London launches direct digital property transfer service for British Pakistanis

    ByJustpaste.in

    In a major step to improve consular services for overseas Pakistanis, the Pakistan High Commission in London has launched a digital property transfer facility, enabling British Pakistanis to transfer property in Punjab without travelling to Pakistan. Introduced in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives to enhance services for the Pakistani diaspora, the initiative allows overseas Pakistanis to complete the property transfer process directly at the High Commission after verifying their identity. Under the new system, applicants are no longer required to issue a Power of Attorney or appoint an agent to handle property transfers on their behalf, reducing the risk of fraud and unnecessary legal expenses. The digital property transfer process is designed to be transparent, secure, efficient and cost-effective, offering overseas Pakistanis a streamlined alternative to the traditional method of property transactions. The service is part of a collaboration between the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) and Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bringing digital land record services closer to the Pakistani community in the United Kingdom. Officials said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to modernising public services and facilitating overseas Pakistanis by allowing them to manage property matters from London without the need to travel to Pakistan.

  • | | |

    Rhea Chakraborty opens up about years of suspicion…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Indian actress Rhea Chakraborty has opened up about one of the most difficult periods of her life, saying that she spent years under suspicion following the death of her former boyfriend and actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Rhea’s life changed dramatically in 2020 after Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence. The case attracted enormous public attention, while Rhea faced intense scrutiny, criticism and legal proceedings. Months ago, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reportedly filed a closure report in the case, providing major relief to Rhea. She was cleared of the allegations connected to the case. Rhea and her brother Showik Chakraborty had also been arrested by India’s Narcotics Control Bureau in connection with a drugs-related case linked to the investigation into Sushant’s death. The actress recently discussed her experience while appearing on the second season of The Traitors. During a conversation with host Karan Johar, she was asked whether she would prefer to present herself as innocent or as a traitor in order to survive the show. Rhea chose the role of the innocent. Explaining her decision, she said that she had finally received a clean chit and that people had learned she was innocent. She added that she had remained under suspicion for a very long time and no longer liked the feeling of being viewed through that lens. The actress has previously spoken about the impact the controversy had on her life. She said the experience affected her mental well-being and that she struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder following the intense period of public and legal scrutiny. For Rhea Chakraborty, the recent developments appear to represent an important turning point. After years of controversy surrounding her name, the CBI closure report has allowed her to publicly emphasize her position and move forward. Her comments on The Traitors have once again brought attention to the long-running controversy, while also highlighting the personal toll she says the ordeal took on her. Rhea Chakraborty says she is innocent, and her latest remarks show how deeply the years of suspicion and public scrutiny continue to shape her perspective on that chapter of her life.

  • | |

    Wet spring fuels costly disease battle for Canadia…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Canadian farmers growing durum, spring wheat, canola and pulse crops have spent the growing season battling an unusually aggressive wave of crop diseases triggered by the wettest year the country has seen this decade. Jake Leguee, who farms roughly 19,000 acres, or about 7,689 hectares, of durum, wheat, lentils, flax and spring wheat in southeastern Saskatchewan, said he sprayed his entire operation with fungicide this year to keep disease pressure under control. He said the costs associated with that level of treatment add up quickly. The sudden surge in crop disease during early summer poses a serious threat to both the quantity and quality of Canada’s harvest this year. Canada ranks as the world’s top exporter of canola, durum wheat, dry peas and oats, and stands among the leading global suppliers of high protein spring wheat, making the outcome of this year’s harvest significant well beyond its own borders. The disease outbreak traces back to an extremely wet spring and early summer that left soils saturated with moisture, creating ideal conditions for fungal disease once temperatures turned hot and humid. That combination has forced many farmers into a difficult decision this season, choosing between spending additional money on crops that may not turn a profit given elevated fertilizer and input costs, or investing further to protect whatever yield remains in the field. For farmers like Sabourin, the level of moisture and frequency of rain throughout the season left little room for debate about whether to apply fungicide. Leguee said it will take several more weeks before he knows whether he applied the right fungicides in the right locations at the right time. He said his crops look healthy so far, with the exception of his lentils, though he cautioned that disease damage can sometimes hide inside kernels and pods that appear fine from the outside. That uncertainty means the ultimate quantity and quality of Canada’s export crops remain unresolved just as full scale harvesting gets underway across the prairies. Leguee said farmers will not have a clear picture of how the season played out until combines actually move through the fields, adding that fungicide treatment does not always deliver the results growers hope for.

  • |

    Putin visits Japan-claimed Islands, Tokyo protests

    ByJustpaste.in

    MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Iturup, one of the disputed Kuril Islands claimed by Japan, in a move likely to further strain relations between Moscow and Tokyo and revive attention on a decades-old territorial dispute. Russian state media reported on Thursday that Putin travelled to Iturup after overseeing major naval exercises in Russia’s Far East. The visit was described by state news agency TASS as Putin’s first in-person trip to the island chain. Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan, is among four islands that Tokyo calls the Northern Territories and considers its inherent territory. The territorial dispute has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a formal peace treaty to officially end the state of war left over from World War II. During his visit, Putin toured the Yasny fish-processing plant, where officials briefed him on the local fishing industry and the movement of fish in the surrounding waters. Russian television footage showed the president examining large tuna and halibut before sampling local fish roe. Putin also spoke with local residents, praising the island’s weather and comparing it with a resort. His informal interaction with residents highlighted Moscow’s efforts to portray the disputed territory as an active and integrated part of Russia. Japan responded sharply to the visit. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tokyo had lodged a strong protest, insisting that the Northern Territories, including Etorofu, belong to Japan based on history and international law. The visit came at a particularly sensitive moment in East Asia. A day earlier, North Korea, a Russian ally, fired a ballistic missile towards waters off the Korean Peninsula. The launch occurred shortly before major joint military exercises involving the United States and South Korea, which Pyongyang has repeatedly condemned. Putin’s appearance on Iturup also followed Russian naval drills in the Far East, adding a military dimension to an already sensitive diplomatic dispute. The latest development underscores the continuing complexity of Russia-Japan relations. Despite periods of diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation, the unresolved island issue remains a major obstacle to a formal postwar peace agreement. For Tokyo, Putin’s visit represents another challenge to its territorial claims. For Moscow, the high-profile trip reinforces its control over the disputed islands and signals that the territorial question remains firmly within Russia’s strategic agenda.

  • | | |

    Iran announces $30,000 reward for capturing or kil…

    ByJustpaste.in

    TEHRAN: Iran has announced a $30,000 reward for anyone who kills or captures a US servicemember and hands them over to Iranian authorities, in a striking escalation of rhetoric amid continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington. Iranian Army chief Maj Gen Amir Hatami announced the reward, saying it had been introduced after what he described as a large number of public requests to participate in the confrontation with the United States. Under the reported scheme, a person who kills or captures a US soldier and hands the servicemember to Iranian authorities would receive $30,000, or the equivalent of about 5 billion Iranian tomans. Hatami reportedly said the reward would be doubled if the action was carried out by a woman. The announcement comes as tensions between Iran and the United States remain high. Tehran has repeatedly demanded that American forces leave the region, while Washington has maintained a significant military presence across the Middle East. Despite the threat, there are no known US ground forces permanently deployed inside Iran. Reports indicate that American personnel entered Iranian territory in April during a rescue operation following the crash of a US aircraft. Hatami also issued a warning over the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz, saying American forces would not be allowed to return. His comments came after US President Donald Trump made controversial statements concerning the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz remains a major flashpoint because it is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. Any further escalation around the passage could have consequences well beyond the region, particularly for global oil markets. The latest Iranian announcement adds another provocative dimension to an already tense confrontation, raising concerns over the safety of US personnel and the possibility of further escalation across the Middle East.

  • |

    Six candidates prepare for first televised debate in UN leadership race

    ByJustpaste.in

    The six candidates competing to become the next Secretary General of the United Nations are set to take part in a televised debate ahead of the official selection process, offering diplomats, UN staff, and the public a chance to hear their plans for leading the organisation through one of the most challenging periods in its history. The debate will be held in the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York and comes just one week before the Security Council begins formally considering candidates to succeed Secretary General Antonio Guterres, whose term ends later this year. The 90 minute event will feature questions from diplomats, United Nations employees, and representatives of civil society, and will be broadcast live. The six candidates are former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Argentine diplomat Rafael Grossi, Costa Rican economist Rebeca Grynspan, Guyanese Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, and former Senegalese President Macky Sall. Each is seeking to lead the global organisation at a time when it faces financial pressures, political divisions, and increasing criticism from member states. General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said the debate provides a valuable opportunity for the candidates to present their leadership vision and priorities before the selection process begins. She stressed that the next Secretary General must not only improve the efficiency of the United Nations but also defend the principles of the UN Charter, including peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development. The organisation is currently facing one of its most difficult periods in recent years. The administration of US President Donald Trump has criticised the United Nations for what it describes as excessive spending, expanding beyond its core responsibilities, and failing to produce effective results. Washington has called for the organisation to focus more closely on maintaining international peace and security, while many other member states argue that protecting human rights and promoting development remain equally important responsibilities. Over recent weeks, each candidate has already answered several hours of questions from representatives of the UN’s 193 member states. During those discussions, most pledged to continue reform efforts aimed at making the organisation more efficient, transparent, and responsive to global challenges. Many also emphasised the need for a more active diplomatic role for the Secretary General in preventing conflicts and supporting peace negotiations. The formal selection process begins on July 30 when the 15 members of the UN Security Council hold their first confidential straw poll. During these informal votes, council members anonymously indicate their preferred candidates. Several rounds of voting may take place until one candidate secures the required support of at least nine council members without being vetoed by any of the five permanent members, namely the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France. Once the Security Council agrees on a candidate, the recommendation will be sent to the General Assembly for final approval. The successful candidate will officially begin serving as Secretary General on January 1, 2027. Diplomats say the race remains highly competitive with no clear favourite. Rafael Grossi is widely viewed as one of the strongest contenders because of his international profile and experience leading the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, several diplomats believe Rebeca Grynspan and Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett also enjoy significant support among member states. Speculation continues over whether another candidate could still emerge before the final decision is made. Reports have also mentioned the name of FIFA President Gianni Infantino as a possible outsider, although he is not among the officially declared candidates. This year’s contest has also renewed calls for the United Nations to appoint its first female Secretary General. Many member states argue that after eight decades of male leadership, the organisation should choose a woman for its highest office. Latin American countries are also pressing their case under the informal tradition of rotating the position among different world regions, making the current race one of the most closely watched leadership contests in recent UN history.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *