South Korea Sets June Election Amid Leadership Changes
South Korea has scheduled a snap presidential election for June 3, following the recent removal from office of impeached leader Yoon Suk-yeol. Acting President Han Duck-soo announced the election date during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and Han Dong-hoon, a former leader of the ruling People Power Party, declared their candidacies on Thursday, setting the stage for a highly anticipated political contest.
China’s Shenzhou-19 Crew Set to Return Around May 1
The crew of China’s Shenzhou-19 mission is preparing to return to Earth around May 1, according to China Media Group. Astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze have spent over 150 days aboard the China Space Station, conducting various scientific experiments and tests.
The Shenzhou-19 spacecraft was launched atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Chinese mainland’s northwest region on October 30, 2024.
Volcano Eruption in Central Philippines
Mount Kanlaon in the central Philippines experienced an explosive eruption on Tuesday morning, as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The eruption began at 5:51 a.m., producing a massive plume approximately 4,000 meters tall drifting southwest.
“Pyroclastic density currents descended the slopes on the southern edifice,” the institute noted. Videos shared by officials and residents captured the dramatic scene of the volcano spewing ash and gas.
Indonesia’s Rupiah Hits Record Low; Central Bank to Intervene
Indonesia’s rupiah reached an all-time low against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, prompting the central bank to announce plans for market intervention to stabilize the currency. The rupiah weakened to 16,970 per dollar amid global trade tensions.
Destry Damayanti, Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, stated that the central bank would act boldly to maintain currency stability. She added that investor confidence in the sovereign bond market remains strong despite current fluctuations.
India Maintains Fuel Prices Despite Tax Increase
India’s Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on Monday that retail prices for petrol and diesel would remain unchanged, despite a recent increase in excise duties. The decision aims to support consumers amid falling global oil prices.
Puri explained that state-controlled fuel retailers would absorb the higher taxes, and the move would help offset losses incurred from selling cooking gas below market rates. The government seeks to balance fiscal responsibilities while easing the financial burden on citizens.
