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North Korea has suspended tourist visits just weeks after allowing the first Western tourists to enter the country since its five-year closure. The country had sealed its borders in early 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and began gradually easing restrictions in mid-2023. While Russian visitors were permitted entry earlier in 2024, Western tourists were only allowed to visit the remote eastern city of Rason starting last month. Several tour companies have now announced that trips to the secretive nation have been cancelled indefinitely, with no explanation provided by North Korean authorities. "Just received news from our Korean partners that Rason is closed to everyone. We will keep you posted," China-based KTG Tours, which specializes in North Korean tourism, announced Wednesday on Facebook. Other agencies including Young Pioneer Tours and Koryo Tours have also confirmed the suspension. Young Pioneer Tours advised […]

US President Donald Trump has granted temporary relief to automakers from the new 25% import tax on goods from Canada and Mexico, just one day after the tariffs were implemented. The White House announced the exemption while Trump continued criticizing Canada for allegedly failing to prevent drugs from entering the US. "Nothing has convinced me that it has stopped," Trump posted on social media following a call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the economic disruption caused by the tariffs. The relief announcement helped US stock markets recover, with shares closing higher after two days of declines that had erased post-election gains in the S&P 500. The tariff exemption applies to vehicles manufactured in North America that comply with existing free trade agreement rules, which specify how much of a car must be produced in each country to qualify […]

Fifteen people in South Korea were injured, two of them seriously, after a pair of fighter jets accidentally dropped eight bombs in a civilian district during a live-fire military exercise, local media reported. The incident involving the Air Force KF-16 aircraft took place at around 10:04 local time (01:04 GMT) in the city of Pocheon, near the border with North Korea. South Korea's Air Force said that it was investigating the incident and apologised for the damage, adding it would provide compensation to those affected. While shells from live firing exercises sometimes land near civilian residences, they rarely cause injuries. According to local media reports, two people suffered fractures to their necks and shoulders. A 60-year-old who was driving when the explosion happened had shrapnel lodged in their neck, Yonhap reported. "I was driving when I heard a 'bang'," they […]

New Zealand has dismissed its senior diplomat to the United Kingdom following comments that questioned US President Donald Trump's historical knowledge. High Commissioner Phil Goff was removed from his position after remarks made at a London event on Tuesday. Goff had drawn parallels between current efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war and the 1938 Munich Agreement that permitted Adolf Hitler to annex part of Czechoslovakia. During his speech, Goff referenced Winston Churchill's criticism of the Munich Agreement, then remarked: "President Trump has restored the bust of Churchill to the Oval Office. But do you think he really understands history?" New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters called Goff's comments "deeply disappointing" and declared his position "untenable." Goff's remarks came after Trump paused military aid to Ukraine following a contentious meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In his speech, Goff contrasted Trump […]