Author: EchoAsiaNews

SEOUL: South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission has fined telecom operator KT Corp 54 billion won ($37.43 million) over a customer data breach that exposed personal information and payment details, the regulator said on Thursday. The commission said hackers stole data belonging to more than 16,600 KT mobile service customers and used the information to carry out illegal payments worth 240 million won. The breach occurred between 2024 and 2025, according to the findings of the regulator’s investigation. What Did the Investigation Find? The Personal Information Protection Commission said it discovered multiple malware programs on KT’s servers while investigating the…

YATSUSHIRO, Japan: Communities in southern Japan are facing shortages of water and electricity after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture, killing at least 17 people and damaging infrastructure amid warnings of extreme heat in the coming days. Many households in the port city of Yatsushiro remained without running water or power on Thursday, two days after the earthquake caused widespread damage to homes, roads and public facilities. Local official Akio Matsushita said the disruption to water supplies posed a serious challenge as temperatures reached around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) with high humidity. “Because of the summer heat, the…

LOS ANGELES: Recording Academy Chief Executive Officer Harvey Mason Jr. has responded after K-pop group BTS announced it would not participate in the 2027 Grammy Awards, saying he respects the band’s decision while defending the introduction of the academy’s new Asian Pop category. In a statement released following BTS’s announcement, Mason said he was disappointed by the group’s decision but emphasized that the Recording Academy remained committed to recognizing artists from across Asia. What Did the Grammy CEO Say? “I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as…

LONDON: Zendaya and Tom Holland appeared together on the red carpet at the UK premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day on Wednesday, joining co-star Florence Pugh as the cast continued promotional events ahead of the film’s global release. The premiere was held at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London, two days after the cast attended the film’s Los Angeles premiere. Holland and Zendaya, who portray Peter Parker and MJ in the Spider-Man franchise, posed for photographs together during the event. Actress Marisa Tomei, who reprises her role as Aunt May Parker, was also present, while Florence Pugh attended as…

BIRMINGHAM: Singer Usher appeared to address last week’s viral onstage incident with a fan during his concert in Birmingham, Alabama, joking that audience members who do not want to participate in his performance should not come on stage. Speaking to the crowd before inviting another fan to join him during his signature serenade segment, the R&B star made a lighthearted remark that was widely seen as a reference to the incident at his Nashville show, where an audience member appeared uncomfortable and the performance ended early. The latest concert marked Usher’s first public comments on the viral moment. What Prompted…

HANGU: At least seven police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were martyred and 22 others injured after terrorists attacked the Khazina Banda police checkpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district, police said on Wednesday. District Police Officer (DPO) Tariq Habib said the attack targeted the police checkpost, triggering an exchange of fire between security personnel and the attackers. He said eight terrorists were killed and six others injured in retaliatory fire. A clearance operation was continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining militants, according to police. What Happened During the Hangu Attack? The DPO said DSP Diyar…

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is facing mounting political pressure after youth-led protests over alleged examination irregularities and unemployment forced a series of concessions, including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The demonstrations, led by the online Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, spread from New Delhi to several cities last week, prompting the government to announce reforms, withdraw legal action against detained protesters and accept the minister’s resignation. The developments mark one of the rare instances in which sustained public pressure has led the Modi administration to reverse course since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came…

MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday vowed to challenge the results of the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections through legal and constitutional channels, alleging widespread electoral irregularities and urging the Election Commission to investigate the conduct of the polls. Speaking at a press conference in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal said the PPP had evidence of alleged rigging at 30 polling stations, where he claimed turnout reached 99% and polling stations had been “occupied.” He said the party would pursue all available legal avenues to reclaim what it considers its rightful seats. The remarks…

WASHINGTON: The United States has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth up to $58.6 billion to expand production of Patriot interceptor missiles, the Pentagon said on Wednesday, as rising military demand linked to conflicts in Iran and Ukraine places increasing pressure on US missile stockpiles. The award converts a previous one-year $4.7 billion contract, signed in April, into a seven-year framework agreement covering fiscal years 2026 through 2032, establishing a long-term procurement plan for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors. The move comes as Washington seeks to replenish inventories after supplying large quantities of weapons to allies…

LOS ANGELES: Singer and actress Miley Cyrus has revealed plans to expand her career beyond music, saying she hopes to return to acting and eventually direct film projects. The 33-year-old pop star discussed her future ambitions ahead of the expected release of her upcoming album, telling fans that acting remains an important part of her creative journey. Cyrus, known for her music career and her role as the lead character in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, also expressed interest in working behind the camera as a filmmaker. Why Is Miley Cyrus Returning to Acting? Cyrus’ comments have sparked excitement…