Lithium-ion battery fires upend California communities, raising alarms about storage, safety

Los Angeles Times - Sep 25, 2026

For more than three days, fire crews have worked to address a lithium-ion battery fire in La Verne that has forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents and raised questions about the safety of California's rapidly expanding energy storage systems.

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Lee says Ukraine breached non-disclosure agreement on 2 NK soldiers

Sep 25, 2026

Lee says Ukraine breached non-disclosure agreement on 2 NK soldiers

MEXICO CITY — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday expressed regret that Ukraine has disclosed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to South Korea, calling it a breach of a non-disclosure agreement that he said may lead to many problems. "It was appropriate in every aspect not to disclose, considering many problems it may cause when disclosed, and (we) had agreed to do so," Lee said in a post on his X account, a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York that Ukraine recently sent the two North Korean soldiers to South Korea. Shortly after Zelenskyy's speech, the Ukrainian presidential office said the transfer of the two North Korean prisoners to South Korea was carried out through direct dialogue with Seoul. "(Ukraine) disclosed the transfer in breach of a non-disclosure agreement," Lee wrote. "I don't know the reasons (for the disclosure), but I regret it." Lee said the issue is a very sensitive matter that could immensely affect diplomacy and national security, as well as th

Lee calls Mexico 'indispensable' partner amid growing global economic uncertainties

Sep 25, 2026

Lee calls Mexico 'indispensable' partner amid growing global economic uncertainties

MEXICO CITY — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday described Mexico as an "indispensable strategic partner" and stressed the need to deepen bilateral economic cooperation amid global economic uncertainties. Lee made the remarks at a meeting that he jointly hosted with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, according to senior South Korean presidential secretary for public affairs Seong Ghi-hong. The meeting was attended by dozens of business leaders from both countries. Lee said the two countries are indispensable strategic partners to each other, and need to elevate their economic cooperation at a time when global economic uncertainties are growing, with global supply chains undergoing rapid changes, according to Seong. The South Korean president also pledged to support the successful implementation of Sheinbaum's vision, called "Plan Mexico," which she unveiled last year to strengthen industrial competitiveness and expand infrastructure. The meeting discussed ways to strengthen investment and trade between South Korean and Mexican companies, the presidential secretary said.

Korea, Mexico adopt joint action plan to expand cooperation in defense, crude oil, AI

Sep 25, 2026

Korea, Mexico adopt joint action plan to expand cooperation in defense, crude oil, AI

MEXICO CITY — South Korea and Mexico on Thursday adopted a joint action plan to expand bilateral cooperation into crude oil, critical natural resources, defense and artificial intelligence, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said of his summit here with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The South Korean president announced the signing of the Korea-Mexico Joint Action Plan 2026-2030 in a joint press announcement with his Mexican counterpart. The action plan calls for South Korea and Mexico to expand bilateral cooperation in advanced industries, including AI, digital technology, aerospace and defense, according to Lee. "This will help foster connections between the strategic industries prioritized by my administration and the advancement of new industries envisioned under Mexico's economic development strategy, "Plan Mexico," he said. South Korea and Mexico will also work toward having the agreement take effect promptly by completing necessary procedures, including the formal signing and parliamentary ratification. Also during the summit, the two countries concluded negotiations on a

Lee reaffirms he will not seek reelection through constitutional revision

Sep 25, 2026

Lee reaffirms he will not seek reelection through constitutional revision

MEXICO CITY — President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed Thursday that he will not seek reelection through constitutional reform. The president made the remarks during a meeting with South Korean residents in Mexico while on a state visit. "Those who are worried, don't be. ... There will never be a case of my (term) going beyond June 2, 2030," the president said. Lee has repeatedly said he has no intention of seeking reelection through constitutional revision amid opposition accusations that he may seek a second term through the push for constitutional revision by his administration and his ruling Democratic Party. The Constitution currently stipulates any changes to the presidential system shall not apply to the president in office at the time of a revision. Lee took office in June last year for a five-year term.

Lee pledges to work harder to 'illuminate' every citizen's life in Chuseok message

Sep 25, 2026

Lee pledges to work harder to 'illuminate' every citizen's life in Chuseok message

MEXICO CITY— President Lee Jae Myung pledged to work harder to "illuminate" every citizen's life regardless of differences in opinion in a video message released Thursday to mark the Chuseok holiday, the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving. Appearing alongside first lady Kim Hea Kyung in the video, Lee said, "As president, I am truly grateful and deeply honored to share this moment with all of you, our great people of the Republic of Korea, who have built today's Korea and are shaping the Korea of tomorrow. "I will work even harder to ensure that every citizen's life is illuminated brightly, regardless of their qualifications or conditions and whatever their opinions or thoughts," he said. "Though our places of residence, occupations and chosen paths may differ, we are united by our love for the country," he added. The president wished citizens "a wonderful Chuseok holiday," expressing his hope that they can reach out to those they miss and share precious moments of happiness with those they love. He delivered the message while spending the holiday in Mexico on a state visit aimed at enha

Highway congestion builds on Chuseok as Koreans travel to hometowns

Sep 25, 2026

Highway congestion builds on Chuseok as Koreans travel to hometowns

Heavy traffic clogged expressways across South Korea on Friday, the second day of the Chuseok holiday, as people headed to their hometowns for family reunions, with trips from Seoul to the southeastern city of Busan estimated to take eight hours and 40 minutes. As of 9 a.m., travel times from Seoul were estimated at six hours and 40 minutes to Mokpo, eight hours and 20 minutes to Ulsan, seven hours and 40 minutes to Daegu, and six hours and 10 minutes to Gwangju, according to the Korea Expressway Corp. This year's holiday for Chuseok, the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving, runs from Thursday to Sunday. The holiday is marked by visits to hometowns, family reunions, ancestral rites and traditional holiday foods. Trips to Seoul were expected to take seven hours and 50 minutes from Busan, seven hours from Mokpo, seven hours and 30 minutes from Ulsan, and six hours and 50 minutes from Gwangju. The state-run company said congestion was expected to peak between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and ease between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. An estimated 6.84 million vehicles were expected to travel on roads nationwide Frid

N. Korean official says S. Korea to become target of 'collective punishment'

Sep 25, 2026

N. Korean official says S. Korea to become target of 'collective punishment'

North Korea on Friday condemned a recent remark made by the top commander of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) that South Korea plays a decisive center for collective defense, noting Seoul will instead become a target of punishment. The statement came from Kang Chol-su, section chief of North Korea's Institute of Enemy State Studies, in a commentary carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). In the statement, Kang said the U.S. is "openly revealing its gangster-like nature" to use South Korea as Washington's "key base for implementing its hegemonic strategy and as its mercenaries in the regional conflict." "(U.S. Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson) talked about the redesigning of the security of the Korean peninsula, stressing the need for the ROK and the U.S. to jointly cope with the threat from outside the Korean peninsula," Kang said. The ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. "This is a clearer manifestation of the attempt to completely discard the deceptive veil of 'defense of the ROK,' which has so far been used as the justification for the existenc

Hyundai Motor poised to rank No. 3 in US quarterly sales, closing in on Ford

Sep 25, 2026

Hyundai Motor poised to rank No. 3 in US quarterly sales, closing in on Ford

Hyundai Motor Group is poised to overtake Ford Motor in quarterly vehicle sales in the United States for the first time, underscoring the growing presence of the Korean automaker in the world’s largest auto market. Cox Automotive estimates the group’s three auto brands — Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis — will sell 511,421 vehicles in the U.S. between July and September, up 6.5 percent from a year earlier. By contrast, Ford is projected to sell 504,172 vehicles, down 7.1 percent, according to the market researcher’s latest forecast. If the estimates hold, Hyundai Motor Group would rank third in quarterly U.S. sales behind General Motors, with 671,706 vehicles, and Toyota Motor, with 642,707. The result would mark the first time the Korean group has surpassed Ford on a quarterly basis. The shift comes as U.S. consumers increasingly favor fuel-efficient vehicles amid elevated gasoline prices. Utilizing the market condition, Hyundai Motor Group goes all-out to expand sales for its hybrid lineups there. However, Ford sells much less hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicles there. Cox Automoti

Legendary hoops icon Bob Pettit, first NBA MVP, dies at 93

Sep 25, 2026

Legendary hoops icon Bob Pettit, first NBA MVP, dies at 93

Bob Pettit, the first MVP in the 1955-1956 NBA season, was one of the game's biggest stars in an era before the league was regularly on television

Lithium-ion battery fires upend California communities, raising alarms about storage, safety

Sep 25, 2026

Lithium-ion battery fires upend California communities, raising alarms about storage, safety

For more than three days, fire crews have worked to address a lithium-ion battery fire in La Verne that has forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents and raised questions about the safety of California's rapidly expanding energy storage systems.

Appeals court orders Trump administration to distribute homeless funds

Sep 25, 2026

Appeals court orders Trump administration to distribute homeless funds

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has rebuffed a Trump administration effort to dictate how homeless service organizations in Los Angeles can seek millions of dollars in federal housing funds.

Iran’s president: It’s up to US to choose if it wants to end war

Sep 25, 2026

Iran’s president: It’s up to US to choose if it wants to end war

Russian and Iranian foreign ministers agree that only a diplomatic settlement could end tension in the Middle East sparked by the US-Israeli war against Iran

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