OpenAI Forms Alliance With South Korea's Kakao As DeepSeek Rises
trending_flat

OpenAI Forms Alliance With South Korea’s Kakao As DeepSeek Rises

Sam Altman, OpenAI's chief executive, has established a strategic partnership with South Korean technology company Kakao, as his firm navigates increased competition following DeepSeek's emergence in the global artificial intelligence market. Kakao, which operates South Korea's dominant messaging platform KakaoTalk along with major banking and taxi-hailing services, announced on Tuesday it would integrate ChatGPT into its new AI offerings. This alliance forms part of OpenAI's broader strategic positioning within the industry, supported by the Stargate initiative - a $500 billion AI infrastructure investment program announced by President Donald Trump. The emergence of DeepSeek has created significant ripples in Silicon Valley, with industry observers noting its impressive performance capabilities and competitive cost structure. This development has prompted increased scrutiny of U.S. AI development strategies. During his Seoul visit, Altman expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "We're excited to bring advanced AI to […]

South Korean President Faces Court Again For Hearings On Removal
trending_flat

South Korean President Faces Court Again For Hearings On Removal

South Korea faces an unprecedented political crisis as suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol attended Constitutional Court hearings Tuesday to determine his permanent removal from office following his attempted declaration of martial law. The crisis began December 3 when Yoon, a former prosecutor, declared martial law and dispatched troops to parliament, effectively suspending civilian rule. The opposition-controlled parliament managed to vote down the decree within six hours and subsequently impeached him over the action. The situation escalated in mid-January when Yoon was arrested in a pre-dawn operation on insurrection charges, marking the first arrest of a sitting South Korean president. He remains in detention while attending the impeachment proceedings at the Constitutional Court. If the court upholds parliament's impeachment decision, South Korea must hold a presidential election within 60 days. Yoon arrived at Tuesday's hearing in a convoy of black SUVs […]

El Salvador Offers To Lock Up US Criminals Inside Mega Prison
trending_flat

El Salvador Offers To Lock Up US Criminals Inside Mega Prison

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has made an unprecedented proposal to imprison convicted American criminals in his country's facilities, an offer that received praise from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The proposal came during Rubio's visit to Bukele's Lake Coatepeque residence near San Salvador. Bukele offered to house American convicts for a fee in Latin America's largest prison, which opened last year. "We have offered the United States of America the opportunity to outsource part of its prison system," Bukele stated on X. "The fee would be relatively low for the US but significant for us, making our entire prison system sustainable." After a three-hour meeting, Rubio expressed strong support for the arrangement, describing it as "the most unprecedented, extraordinary migratory agreement anywhere in the world." He highlighted that the offer extends to "dangerous American criminals in custody in […]

trending_flat

Deadly Bomb Blast Targets Pro-Russian Paramilitary Leader in Moscow

A bomb explosion in a luxury Moscow apartment complex on Monday resulted in at least one death and four injuries, targeting a pro-Russian paramilitary leader from eastern Ukraine, according to Russian state media reports. Armen Sarkisyan, the senior paramilitary leader, died in hospital after being critically injured in the blast. The explosion occurred in the lobby of the "Scarlet Sails" complex, located approximately 12 km from the Kremlin, just as a man with bodyguards entered the building. Russian state news agency TASS described the incident as a carefully planned "assassination attempt" and reported that law enforcement was investigating those who may have ordered the attack. Another state news agency, RIA, noted that Sarkisyan was in critical condition, with part of his leg being amputated at the time of initial reporting. Ukraine's SBU security service had previously characterized Sarkisyan as a […]

trending_flat

Trump Threatens to Cut US Funding to South Africa Over Land Policy Dispute

US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut all future funding to South Africa, citing concerns over the country's land ownership policy. The dispute centers on a recent law allowing land seizures under specific circumstances, which has sparked international debate. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defended the country's position, emphasizing that South Africa is a "constitutional democracy rooted in the rule of law, justice, and equality." He pointed out that no land has been confiscated and that US funding primarily supports South Africa's HIV/AIDS program through the Pepfar initiative. The new law permits land expropriation without compensation only when it is "just and equitable and in the public interest." This includes situations where property is unused, undeveloped, or poses a risk to people. Previously, land acquisition was limited to a "willing seller, willing buyer" principle, which some argued delayed necessary […]

trending_flat

Trump Administration’s Immigration Arrests

The Trump administration's widely publicized immigration enforcement efforts have revealed significant challenges in implementing mass deportation, with some of the more than 8,000 immigrants arrested since Inauguration Day being released back into the United States. Federal immigration operations intensified in major cities like Chicago and New York, with agents across multiple agencies increasing arrest numbers. However, practical limitations have complicated the administration's deportation strategy. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) faces significant space constraints in detention facilities and must comply with federal court orders preventing indefinite detention. ICE daily posts arrest figures but does not disclose detailed information about the status of those arrested. An ICE spokesperson acknowledged that federal court cases limit the agency's ability to indefinitely detain individuals, particularly when their home countries refuse to accept them back. Those released are placed under the Alternatives to Detention program, a […]

trending_flat

Drug Smuggler Hospitalized After Ingesting 81 Cocaine Pellets During International Journey

A 59-year-old Nigerian businessman narrowly escaped potential fatal consequences after attempting to smuggle 81 cocaine pellets by ingesting them during an international travel route involving Ethiopia and Lebanon. Chijioke Igbokwe was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos after a complex international journey. According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, Igbokwe departed Lagos on January 22nd, ingested the cocaine pellets in Addis Ababa on January 23rd, and attempted to travel to Beirut, Lebanon, for a $3,000 delivery fee. Lebanon denied him entry due to insufficient funds, resulting in his deportation back to Addis Ababa. Unable to excrete the pellets, he returned to Lagos, where NDLEA officers intercepted him. Medical interventions became critical as the smuggling attempt posed significant health risks. After five days of observation, only 24 pellets were naturally expelled. […]

trending_flat

Taiwanese Star Barbie Hsu Passes Away at 48 Following Sudden Illness

Taiwanese actor and entertainer Barbie Hsu, widely known as "Big S" and famous across East Asia, has died at age 48 from influenza-induced pneumonia while on a family holiday in Japan, as announced by her sister Dee Hsu. Dee, popularly known as "Little S," shared an emotional statement expressing her grief. "My dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us," she wrote. She also expressed gratitude for their shared life and the time they spent together. Hsu rose to prominence initially as part of the pop group S.O.S., but her breakthrough came with the 2001 romantic television drama "Meteor Garden," which solidified her popularity across East Asian entertainment markets. The news of her unexpected death quickly became the most searched topic on China's Weibo microblogging platform. Her personal life included a complex marital […]

trending_flat

First Bank Challenges Court Ruling in GHL Dispute

First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) and General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) are embroiled in a complex legal dispute over a Mareva order, with both parties presenting conflicting narratives about court proceedings and compliance. In a recent statement, First Bank acknowledged media reports about banks complying with Justice Deinde Dipeolu's ruling that lifted the Mareva order against GHL, its directors, and shareholders. The bank contends that such compliance is premature and necessary steps have not been completed. First Bank has appealed against the discharge of the Mareva Order and has applied for an injunction or suspension of the discharge order pending appeal resolution. The bank advised other financial institutions to maintain the status quo during this legal process. GHL, conversely, accuses First Bank of attempting to abuse the court process. The oil firm claims that First Bank has falsely informed the public […]

Trump Secures Freedom For Six Americans Held In Venezuela
trending_flat

Trump Secures Freedom For Six Americans Held In Venezuela

Six American detainees have been released by Venezuela following direct talks between President Nicolรกs Maduro and Richard Grenell, a senior Trump administration official, in Caracas. The development was announced simultaneously by President Donald Trump and Grenell on social media. Grenell shared a photograph of the freed individuals aboard his aircraft, showing them wearing the light blue uniforms characteristic of Venezuela's prison system. While their identities weren't disclosed, Grenell reported that they had expressed gratitude to Trump in a phone conversation during their journey home. Prior to the release, the White House had issued a warning to Venezuela, demanding the liberation of what they termed "US hostages" and cooperation on accepting deported Venezuelan criminals, or face unspecified consequences. The discussions took place against a backdrop of complex diplomatic relations. Venezuelan state media characterized the talks as respectful, with Maduro stating they […]

Login to enjoy full advantages

Please login or subscribe to continue.

โœ–

Go Premium!

Enjoy the full advantage of the premium access.

โœ–

Stop following

Unfollow Cancel

โœ–

Cancel subscription

Are you sure you want to cancel your subscription? You will lose your Premium access and stored playlists.

Go back Confirm cancellation

โœ–