Iconic SoCal bookstores Vroman's and Book Soup have found a new owner

Los Angeles Times - Sep 25, 2026

The beloved bookstores have been searching for a buyer for two years, ever since owner Joel Sheldon, whose family has helmed Vroman's for more than a century, announced his retirement in 2024.

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Ulsan's 1st multicultural youth baseball team helps kids find their place

Sep 27, 2026

Ulsan's 1st multicultural youth baseball team helps kids find their place

ULSAN — “Okay, this time, pretend you’ve hit a ground ball and run all the way to first base! I’ll roll the ball, and Team B will play defense!” “Which one is Team A?” “Why are you wearing someone else’s glove? You’re supposed to step on the base! Is that how you do it or not?” “Nooo!” “Everyone, focus! Focus! Keep your eyes forward and run!” It is supposed to be a practice session, but the coach seems to be getting the most exercise. The players’ faces are full of smiles, and as soon as their turn is over, they quickly find something else to do. Every now and then, even a coach joins in the mischief before getting a scolding from the head coach. They are still learning to tell a strike from a ball. But when someone manages a rare hit, everyone knows exactly what to do. “Good job!” “Nice!” In one corner of the field, meanwhile, one batter practices swinging with surprising seriousness, as if determined to make every attempt count. “Still, this year’s new members are pretty good at baseball. And since it’s the second semester, they’re less awkward

At Insa Historic Sites Museum, heritage is preserved through destruction

Sep 27, 2026

At Insa Historic Sites Museum, heritage is preserved through destruction

Some of the world's oldest extant movable metal type is on display at a new museum in central Seoul, and entry is free of charge for anyone who wants to see it. However, Insa Historic Sites Museum comes across as surprisingly modest in how it displays these remarkable pieces of typographic history. The museum's collection includes 441 examples of movable metal type, selected from approximately 1,700 replicas of the originals found at the site. This includes "gabinja," originally cast in 1434, predating Johannes Gutenberg's own movable metal type by almost two decades. There are also replicas of "eulyuja" type, cast originally in 1465, representing the oldest known surviving metal types bearing examples of Hangeul, or Korean characters. Hundreds of the little metal pieces were unearthed during a 2020-21 archaeological survey and subsequent excavation. Such surveys are a mandatory part of the redevelopment process, which wiped out the southeastern corner of downtown Seoul's historic Insa-dong neighborhood to make way for G1 Seoul, a new office building that houses the museum in its basem

Number of S. Koreans with family in N. Korea down to less than 33,000

Sep 27, 2026

Number of S. Koreans with family in N. Korea down to less than 33,000

The number of South Koreans with family members in North Korea following their separation during the 1950-53 Korean War continues to drop, with less than 33,000 now remaining and the majority of them already aged over 80 years, data showed Sunday. As of late August, a total of 134,848 people have registered as having separated family members in the North, but only 32,948 of them were still living, according to the data from the unification ministry submitted to Rep. Woo Won-shik of the ruling Democratic Party. Of the survivors, two-thirds were aged 80 and older -- 10,945 aged 80 to 89 and 11,007 aged 90 and older. Around 3,000 people with family in the North die every year, the data showed. "As not much time remains for separated families, the unification ministry must start preparing now so that inter-Korean dialogue can be discussed as a priority agenda item in the event talks resume between North Korea and the United States," said Woo, who himself has family in the North. The war left many people separated from their families, but ongoing inter-Korean tensions have made reunions diffi

Lee heads home after wrapping up state visit to Mexico

Sep 27, 2026

Lee heads home after wrapping up state visit to Mexico

MEXICO CITY — President Lee Jae Myung headed home Saturday, wrapping up his two-nation trip that earlier took him to New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly. Lee addressed the 81st U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, reaffirming his envisioned role as a "pacemaker" to help the U.S. resume dialogue with North Korea. The president also presented his phased approach to denuclearizing North Korea, beginning with a halt and reduction of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. The same day, Lee held a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in New York, during which Trump reaffirmed his commitment to dialogue with North Korea, according to South Korean officials. On a state visit to Mexico that began Wednesday, Lee held summit talks with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum the following day and adopted a joint action plan calling for efforts to deepen economic cooperation and expand bilateral collaboration into artificial intelligence (AI), the defense industry and other sectors. Lee is scheduled to return home on Sunday.

Nearly 4 in 10 Korean industrial technology leaks involve semiconductors: data

Sep 27, 2026

Nearly 4 in 10 Korean industrial technology leaks involve semiconductors: data

Korea's spy agency has detected more than 100 cases of industrial technology leaks overseas over the past five years, with semiconductors accounting for nearly 40 percent of the total, data showed Sunday. According to data submitted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources to the National Assembly, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) detected 107 cases of overseas industrial technology leaks between 2021 and 2025. Semiconductor technologies accounted for the largest share with 40 cases, followed by display technologies with 21 cases, and electrical and electronics technologies with 10 cases. Seven cases involved automotive technologies, while six involved shipbuilding technologies. Of the 107 cases, 31 involved national core technologies, which the government designates as critical to national security and the economy due to their technological and economic value or growth potential, the NIS data showed. Semiconductors also accounted for the largest share of leaks involving national core technologies, with nine cases, followed by displays and electrical and electronics technol

US issuance of nonimmigrant visas for Koreans falls by 8%

Sep 27, 2026

US issuance of nonimmigrant visas for Koreans falls by 8%

The United States' issuance of nonimmigrant visas for Koreans fell nearly 8 percent from a year earlier in 2025 following the inauguration of the new U.S. President Donald Trump administration, data analyzed by a lawmaker's office showed Sunday. The office of Rep. Hong Kee-won of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said it recently analyzed U.S. State Department data on visa issuance per country and found that 68,130 nonimmigrant visas had been issued to Koreans last year, down 7.95 percent from 74,015 issued in 2024 during former President Joe Biden's administration. The number fell across most categories, including the B-1 business visa and the B-2 tourism visa. During the months following last September's surprise detention of hundreds of Korean workers in the U.S. state of Georgia, however, the numbers appeared to grow, according to the lawmaker's office. In December, Korea and the U.S. launched a visa support desk at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to help Korean companies investing in the U.S. with smoother entry procedures. The State Department data showed average monthly B-1 and B-2 vi

‘3-in-1 teachers’: 2-day wellness break not enough to unplug

Sep 27, 2026

‘3-in-1 teachers’: 2-day wellness break not enough to unplug

Even a government-mandated wellness break does little to stop teachers working around the clock — a seemingly endless cycle of grading, lesson planning, and caring for their families

Rappler Recap: Mary Jane Veloso, home at last

Sep 27, 2026

Rappler Recap: Mary Jane Veloso, home at last

Before going back to her hometown, Mary Jane Veloso first attends Mass and talks to the media, reflecting on her 16-year ordeal in detention and how she coped

LTFRB says transport operators who will hold strikes will face sanctions

Sep 27, 2026

LTFRB says transport operators who will hold strikes will face sanctions

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board warned transport operators that their franchises could be compromised if most of their fleets won"t operate amid planned transport strikes.

Bukidnon mourns Talaandig chieftain, IP rights champion Saway

Sep 27, 2026

Bukidnon mourns Talaandig chieftain, IP rights champion Saway

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — The local government of Lantapan and communities across Bukidnon province expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Datu Victorino “Migketay” Saway, a pillar of indigenous culture, peacebuilding and environmental stewardship. The 72-year-old Datu Migketay, affectionately known as Datu Vic, leaves behind a profound legacy as a tribal leader, academic, peacekeeper and

Why devotees keep returning to Laguna’s centuries-old Turumba

Sep 27, 2026

Why devotees keep returning to Laguna’s centuries-old Turumba

For centuries, devotees have returned to Pakil, Laguna for the Turumba, carrying prayers, promises, and personal struggles to the Birhen ng Hapis — among them, mothers who see themselves in the Virgin's sorrow

NAMFREL eyes filing petition for certiorari vs BSKE postponement

Sep 27, 2026

NAMFREL eyes filing petition for certiorari vs BSKE postponement

The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) on Sunday said it is planning to file a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court challenging the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

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