Newsom appoints former aide convicted in domestic violence case to state commission

Los Angeles Times - Nov 8, 2026

Nathan Ballard, Newsom's former communications director, is returning to public service after pleading no contest in a domestic violence case. Some have criticized his appointment to a state commission.

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Korea Drag Pageant to select Miss Femme Supreme 2026

Nov 8, 2026

Korea Drag Pageant to select Miss Femme Supreme 2026

Eight drag queens actively performing in Seoul are gearing up to compete for the inaugural title of Miss Femme Supreme 2026 at the first-ever Korea Drag Pageant. The event was created to celebrate artistic excellence in drag performance, connect Korean performers with the international drag community and contribute to the growth and visibility of drag culture in Korea. "At the heart of it, I want someone who has dreamed of becoming a pageant queen to have a real opportunity to pursue that dream here in Korea," said Leah Taylor, the founder of Korea Drag Pageant, an independent organization dedicated to developing professional drag pageantry in Korea through competitions, educational initiatives and international collaboration. "I want the contestants to feel that their work has been taken seriously and that they have a stage worthy of their preparation and ambition. For audiences, I hope the event offers a fuller understanding of the performance, fashion, craftsmanship and dedication involved in drag." Her ambitions with the pageant are also looking further into the future. "I also hope t

US calls for coordinated action against N. Korean cyber threats following Binance hack

Nov 8, 2026

US calls for coordinated action against N. Korean cyber threats following Binance hack

The United States on Saturday called for international cooperation to combat North Korea's illicit cyber activities following a massive cryptocurrency theft involving Binance. "Particularly in light of the recent hack of Binance, it is critical for governments to work together and do their own part to mitigate the DPRK cyber threat and curb illicit DPRK revenue generation," a State Department spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency in a written response. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. The remarks were made in response to an inquiry about potential coordination between Washington and Seoul on additional sanctions following the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's attribution of the cryptocurrency theft to North Korean actors. The spokesperson also emphasized the importance of enforcing existing international sanctions and taking measures to prevent Pyongyang from financing its weapons programs. "We expect all U.N. member states to enforce existing sanctions and take proactive measures to prevent the DPRK from funding its unlawful WMD

[TEST DRIVE] Audi Korea's A6 returns as dynamic sports sedan

Nov 8, 2026

[TEST DRIVE] Audi Korea's A6 returns as dynamic sports sedan

The new Audi A6 flagship sedan makes its strongest impression through a firm, planted ride that balances sharp handling with long-distance comfort. After a seven-year wait for a full redesign, the German automaker’s flagship combustion-engine sedan returns with a clearer sense of purpose, positioning itself between BMW’s agility and Mercedes-Benz’s emphasis on ride comfort. Driving the A6 45 TFSI quattro S-line across Seoul’s urban streets and surrounding highways over three days, covering about 300 kilometers, the sedan felt more than composed and reassuring at speed without sacrificing everyday usability. The first thing that stood out was how firmly the car held the road. Its suspension absorbed bumps without allowing the body to feel loose or unsettled, while steering inputs translated into predictable movements. The ride was noticeably taut, giving the sedan a sporting character without making it excessively harsh. Rather than chasing the razor-sharp responsiveness associated with BMW or the softer isolation favored by Mercedes-Benz, Audi has found a middle ground that shoul

University of Seoul professor emeritus explores Korean architecture at Harvard symposium

Nov 8, 2026

University of Seoul professor emeritus explores Korean architecture at Harvard symposium

Kim Sung-hong, a professor emeritus of architecture at the University of Seoul, delivered a keynote address at the 2026 Korea Architecture Symposium at Harvard University last month. The University of Seoul said KoreaGSD, a Korean student organization at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, hosted the symposium under the theme “+82+82: From Independence to Acceleration” on Oct. 17. The event was organized to examine how Korean society has adopted, tested and transformed architectural and urban institutions and forms over the past eight decades, using speed as a framework for exploration. The symposium brought together theorists, architects and researchers working in Korea and abroad to reassess contemporary Korean architecture and explore its potential for transformation. In his address, titled “Contextualizing Korean Architecture,” Kim examined contemporary Korean architecture in its historical and social context, focusing on how rapid social change has shaped the country’s urban and architectural landscape. The lecture drew on his book, “Seoul Urban Architecture

New elementary school enrollment to drop below 300,000 for 1st time amid low birth rate

Nov 8, 2026

New elementary school enrollment to drop below 300,000 for 1st time amid low birth rate

The number of children entering elementary schools in Korea is expected to fall below 300,000 for the first time next year amid the country's low birth rate, data showed Sunday. The number of first graders, born in 2020, entering elementary school for the 2027 academic year, is expected to fall short of 300,000, just three years after dropping below the 400,000 mark, according to data compiled by the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) and the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI). The decline comes as only 272,337 babies were born in 2020, down 10 percent from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. A total of 301,442 students enrolled as elementary school freshmen this year, barely surpassing the 300,000 mark and marking the lowest level since 1964, when the ministry began compiling related data. The figure is expected to fall further next year to roughly one-fourth of the 1.05 million recorded in 1968. The shrinking school-age population has raised concerns over school closures, particularly in rural areas, and a widening education gap bet

Korea reviewing plan to expand label-free mandate to foreign-produced bottled water

Nov 8, 2026

Korea reviewing plan to expand label-free mandate to foreign-produced bottled water

The government is reportedly reviewing plans to expand the label-free mandate for domestically produced drinking water to include bottled water brands imported from overseas, officials said Sunday. The plan was discussed in a recent meeting with importers of foreign-produced bottled water, according to the officials from the environment ministry. The meeting was a routine consultation with industry officials, and the ministry is still undecided on whether to apply the mandate to offshore brands, they added. Korea has required all bottled water produced and sold domestically to be label-free starting early this year, replacing physical labels with QR codes on bottle caps and external packaging. The mandate is expected to reduce the country's annual plastic usage by 2,270 metric tons, according to the ministry of climate, energy and environment. Bottled water produced overseas, however, is excluded from the mandate and is sold with traditional labels. Domestic producers have raised equity concerns, arguing that competing products in the same market should be subject to the same standards. As

[PHOTO] Belgium celebrates King's Day, 125th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea

Nov 8, 2026

[PHOTO] Belgium celebrates King's Day, 125th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea

Belgian Ambassador to Korea Bruno Jans, left, raises a toast with Theodora Gentzis, center, secretary-general of Belgium's foreign affairs ministry, and Lim Sang-woo, Korea's deputy minister for public diplomacy, during a reception marking Belgium's King's Day and the 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Belgium and Korea in Seoul, Thursday. Also commemorating the 75th anniversary of the arrival of Belgian troops during the 1950-53 Korean War, Jans highlighted the shared history, friendship and solidarity that continue to unite the two countries. Expressing gratitude for the service and sacrifice of Belgian troops, Lim said the Korean government would work closely with Belgium to translate the outcomes of the June summit into tangible benefits for the people and businesses of both countries. Korea Times photo by Kim Bo-kyoung

Meet Elias Gish, the FEU rookie turning heads in UAAP basketball

Nov 8, 2026

Meet Elias Gish, the FEU rookie turning heads in UAAP basketball

Elias Gish, a 6-foot-7 teenager from the Gilas Pilipinas Youth program, steadily stakes his claim for a future takeover of the contending FEU Tamaraws with his no-nonsense, defense-oriented play

Cagayan de Oro scraps year-end revelry to build  ‘Super El Niño’ resilience

Nov 8, 2026

Cagayan de Oro scraps year-end revelry to build  ‘Super El Niño’ resilience

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Mayor Rolando Uy has canceled City Hall’s 2026 year-end party, shifting the local government’s resources from holiday festivities to survival measures ahead of the anticipated “Super El Niño” In a video advisory Friday, November 6, the City Information Office announced the pivot to strict austerity and disaster preparedness. The move channels

Cops, MGB personnel seize P45-M gear of ‘Chinese-backed’ illegal mine

Nov 8, 2026

Cops, MGB personnel seize P45-M gear of ‘Chinese-backed’ illegal mine

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Authorities swooped down on a suspected illegal mining operation masquerading as a quarry in the hinterlands of this city before dawn on Friday, November 6, seizing some P45 million worth of heavy machinery. The 4 a.m. raid in Sitio Pin-as, Barangay Tuburan, also resulted in the arrest of six workers

16 local governments in Soccsksargen get P520M for quake recovery

Nov 8, 2026

16 local governments in Soccsksargen get P520M for quake recovery

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Some 16 local government units in Soccsksargen or Region 12 have received a total of P520 million in national government assistance to help rebuild communities damaged by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Sarangani province in June. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial turnover of

Negros First CyberCentre goes solar

Nov 8, 2026

Negros First CyberCentre goes solar

BACOLOD CITY – The Negros First CyberCentre here is following into the footsteps of an increasing number of establishments in the country seeking green options as it officially transitions to clean energy following the successful installation of 949 solar panels at the facility. Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz announced Friday, Nov. 6, that the project was

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