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Samsung-Galaxy S4 sales

Yonhap News AgencyMay 23, 2013 00:15

SEOUL, May 23 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co., the world's top smartphone maker, said Thursday that global sales of its Galaxy S4 smartphones have surpassed the 10 million mark since its release in late April. The milestone comes 20 days faster than its predecessor, the Galaxy S3. It took seven months and five months respectively for the Galaxy S and Galaxy S2 to reach the milestone, Samsung said.

EADS-investment offer

Yonhap News AgencyMay 23, 2013 00:15

By Kim Eun-jung SEOUL, May 23 (Yonhap) -- The European Aerospace Defense and Space Company (EADS) on Thursday offered to invest US$2 billion in South Korea's long-delayed fighter jet development project if it wins Seoul's jet procurement deal. The multinational defense firm made the offer as its Eurofighter Tranche 3 has been competing with Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth jet and Boeing's F-15 Silent Eagle for the 8.3 trillion won ($7.3 billion) contract to replace the South Korean Air Force's aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s from 2016.

Park rumors-editor indictment

Yonhap News AgencyMay 22, 2013 23:45

SEOUL, May 23 (Yonhap) -- The chief editor of a local online media outlet has been indicted on charges of publishing articles carrying false rumors about President Park Geun-hye and her brother, prosecutors said Thursday. Paik Eun-jong, the 60-year-old chief editor of the media Web site Voice of Seoul, is accused of spreading false and defamatory information in two articles that separately said President Park gave birth to a baby out of wedlock and Park's younger brother Ji-man masterminded the murder of his relative, according to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office.

First China manufacturing shrinkage in 7 months

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 23:17

Manufacturing activity in China contracted in May for the first time in seven months, HSBC said Thursday, in another sign of the weakness of recovery in the world's second-largest economy. The banking giant's preliminary purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 49.6 this month from a final 50.4 in April, putting it below the 50 mark that indicates contraction. A reading above signals expansion. It was the lowest figure since October's 49.5, according to the bank's data, and the first time it had been below 50 since then.

NFL: 49ers receiver Crabtree tears Achilles in training

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 23:17

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree tore his right Achilles tendon during a training drill but is expected to play during the 2013 NFL season, the team said Wednesday. Crabtree suffered the injury on Tuesday and underwent successful surgery on Wednesday, according to an article on the team's website. "Surgery was successful and we do not anticipate it will be season-ending for Michael," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. "It was completely torn and it was completely repaired."

growth outlook-KDI

Yonhap News AgencyMay 22, 2013 23:16

SEJONG, May 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's economy is expected to grow 2.6 percent this year, a state-run think tank forecast Thursday, revising down its growth outlook amid increasing uncertainty facing the country at home and abroad. The growth estimate by the Korea Development Institute (KDI) is lower than the 3 percent it predicted in November. The think tank also expected the country's economy will grow 3.6 percent next year.

Lifestyle Advisory

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 22:46

AFP will on Thursday and Friday move a four-story package looking at the evolving lifestyles of the middle classes in the major emerging powers of Asia and Latin America. These stories will be accompanied by photos and videos.

Outrage grows over scandal-tainted Malaysia state boss

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 22:45

Despite earning a civil servant's salary for three decades, Taib Mahmud, the powerful chief minister of Malaysia's Sarawak state, is reputed by critics to be one of Asia's richest men. Taib, 77, and his family are accused of massive corruption and running Malaysia's largest state like a family business, controlling its biggest companies with stakes in hundreds of corporations in Malaysia and abroad.

Ford to close 2 plants, end production in Australia in 2016 due to high costs and low sales

The Canadian PressMay 22, 2013 22:30

SYDNEY - Ford Motor Co. said Thursday it was closing its two Australian auto plants and ending production in the country in 2016, amid soaring manufacturing costs and plummeting sales. The closure of the U.S. automaker's plants in the state of Victoria will mean the loss of 1,200 jobs and will transform the company into an import-only brand in Australia. Ford began making cars in Australia in 1925 and is the third largest auto manufacturer in the country.

London attack 'beyond belief'

Agence France-PresseMay 22, 2013 22:16

The savage murder of a man believed to be a soldier on a London street in a suspected terror attack was "beyond belief" but will only strengthen Britain's support for its armed forces, newspapers said Thursday. Two suspected Islamists were arrested following the attack, which happened in broad daylight, but not before they had launched a filmed tirade against Britain's involvement in Afghanistan. "We killed this British soldier. It's an eye for an eye," said the Sun's headline, quoting from the recorded message.