Markets in Defensive Limbo Into Weekend: 3-Minute MLIV
Guy Johnson, Kriti Gupta and Mark Cudmore break down today's key themes for analysts and investors on "Bloomberg: The Opening Trade." (Source: Bloomberg)
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Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
South Korea faces high-stakes election; fears over China, North Korea and US ties shape voter concerns
Early South Korean voters reportedly turned out in record numbers this week as the nation awaits the June 3 presidential election in what has been described as a pivotal race amid ongoing threats posed by China and recent rocky relations with the U.S. due to President Donald Trump's tariffs. The leader of the progressive Democratic Party of South Korea, Lee Jae-myung, is reported to be leading the race as the frontrunner, but he has raised some eyebrows after he vowed to take a "pragmatic" approach to geopolitics, chiefly by easing previously hawkish positions on China and lessening dependence on the U.S. "The alliance with the U.S. is the foundation of South Korea's diplomacy," Lee said during a debate earlier this month, Bloomberg reported. Kim Jong Un Left Fuming After North Korea's New Destroyer Damaged In Failed Launch Lee said the U.S.-South Korea-Japan partnership should be expanded, but he also said Seoul can't be "unilaterally bound" to relations with Washington, particularly when it comes to U.S. geopolitical rivalries. "We should not neglect ties with China or Russia. We need to manage them appropriately, and there's no need to have an unnecessarily hostile approach like now," Lee also said during the debate, the South China Morning Post reported. Read On The Fox News App Former California GOP Congresswoman Michelle Steel, who was born in South Korea, explained that China's "bullying" behavior in the region leaves much for the global community to be concerned about. "China [poses] the biggest threat, and they already told the whole world that they're going to take over Taiwan," she told Fox News Digital. "When they take over, where are they going to go [to] next? South Korea or Japan? The Philippines? "China has been always fighting to expand." Foreign policy has taken center stage in the presidential race after conservative former President Yoon Suk Yeol threw the nation into political chaos after his December 2024 impeachment. Yoon was ardently aligned with the U.S. when it came to opposing Chinese aggression in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, where Beijing has been accused of expanding, militarizing and blocking freedom of navigation in contested territorial zones. Lee's chief challenger, Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party (PPP), a former labor minister under Yoon, pushed back on the democratic challenger's position when it comes to China and the U.S. But Lee has rejected the idea he is not prioritizing the U.S. alliance and reportedly said during this month's debate, "There's no need to worry. The South Korea-U.S. alliance is important and should continue to grow and strengthen." North Korea Launches Short-range Ballistic Missiles Into Sea, South Korea Says Though he did caution that certain steps taken by the Trump administration, including the 25% tariffs announced earlier this year and the potential withdrawal of troops has "eroded" the relationship. "If the U.S. continues this way — eroding its soft power and the trust of other nations — it won't be sustainable. At some point, brakes will be applied," Lee said. "Until then, endurance is key." Steel argued the "South Korean people understand the importance of a strong relationship with the United States." "Whatever the outcome of the election, South Korean leaders should embrace President Trump and look to make an incredible trade deal that will benefit everyone," she added. But Lee has not convinced all who are weary of his view on U.S. relations, including David Eunkoo Kim, founder and president of the Truth Forum, a conservative youth organization founded at Seoul National University. "This election is widely seen as a pivotal moment for South Korea because the stakes — both domestically and geopolitically — are extraordinarily high," Kim said. "Throughout his political career, (Lee) has consistently aligned himself with both pro-North Korean and pro-Chinese agendas. He has been implicated in sending funds to North Korea in violation of U.N. sanctions, and his deference to China has been nothing short of submissive," Kim said. Kim was referring to Lee's indictment for an illegal cash transfer scheme to North Korea, though Lee denies the accusations and has argued they are politically motivated. During this month's debate, Lee's opponents claimed Lee is also a "North Korea risk" as concerns about Pyongyang's military movements continue to escalate, Radio Free Asia reported. Lee maintains he wants to ease tensions with North Korea by engaging in peaceful diplomacy. But David Eunkoo Kim told Fox News Digital Lee's legal troubles are another geopolitical vulnerability. "With multiple criminal investigations looming, he has every incentive to cling to power at all costs — even if that means aligning South Korea more closely with Beijing," he said. "And this concern is not theoretical. "China is already aggressively asserting influence in the region."Original article source: South Korea faces high-stakes election; fears over China, North Korea and US ties shape voter concerns
Forbes
19 minutes ago
- Forbes
Morgan Wallen Matches Justin Bieber And Jay-Z
Morgan Wallen scores 29 new Hot 100 hits thanks to his I'm the Problem album, tying Jay-Z and Justin ... More Bieber at 105 total entries in the process. Morgan Wallen performs the song "'98 Braves" at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. The show airs on November 19, 2023 on (Photo by Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images) Morgan Wallen is the king of the Hot 100 this week — and not just because he sits at No. 1. The superstar and Tate McRae debut their collaboration "What I Want" in first place, and the country superstar sends dozens of tracks from his latest album, I'm the Problem, to the tally. As a deluge of cuts from I'm the Problem reach the Hot 100, Wallen adds significantly to his career total of placements, passing an important milestone and tying with two of the most successful musicians of the past several decades. All 29 new appearances on the Hot 100 are taken from I'm the Problem. As those two dozen-plus tracks arrive, the singer-songwriter increases his career total to 105 placements on the roster, according to Billboard. With exactly 105 Hot 100 wins to his credit, Wallen is now tied with Justin Bieber and Jay-Z, who have also accrued just as many. Both of those artists had quite the head start and spent well over a decade accruing smashes before Wallen's career really took off. Neither has been particularly focused on music lately, so their sums haven't increased significantly in recent years. Thanks to I'm the Problem, Wallen has now snagged four No. 1 hits. Two of them — "Love Somebody" and the brand new "What I Want" with McRae — opened in first place. He also reached the summit with his solo hit "Last Night" taken from his previous album One Thing at a Time, and "I Had Some Help," his collaboration with Post Malone. In total, Wallen has landed 17 top 10 smashes, including nine from his latest full-length. The record for the most Hot 100 hits is still owned by Drake, and it may always be. He is up to 358 placements on the tally, nearly 100 more than the runner-up, Taylor Swift, who claims 264. Also included in this exclusive club, which now features 21 artists, are names like Future, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, The Weeknd, and Eminem.
Forbes
19 minutes ago
- Forbes
The Benefits And Drawbacks Of RFK Jr.'s New COVID Vaccine Recommendations
SAVANNAH, GA - DECEMBER 15: A nurse shows off a vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine ... More outside of the Chatham County Health Department on December 15, 2020 in Savannah, Georgia. (Photo by) RFK Jr. and the HHS will no longer recommend annual COVID-19 vaccines for healthy pregnant women and young adults, according to a video announcement posted on X May 27 by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A few days later, the CDC took a slightly different stance and stated that children between the ages of 6 months and 17 years may get the COVID-19 vaccine through shared decision-making between parents and healthcare providers. The CDC also updated the adult immunization schedule to say there is 'no guidance' on use for pregnancy. These decisions have sparked much debate among public health experts, policymakers and government officials. Here are the pros and cons of such a policy shift. As Kennedy cited in his video announcement, the U.S. seems to be aligning its vaccine policy with other countries such as the U.K. and Australia that have stopped recommending routine COVID-19 vaccines for young healthy adults. In addition, according to the new recommendations, the focus of vaccinations will largely be on high-risk populations, namely those who are 65 years of age and older as well as younger individuals with at least one medical condition that puts them at high risk for COVID-19. This could allow resources and attention to be redirected to the populations that need the vaccine most. The new recommendations also demand evidence in answering important questions the public deserves to know. For younger healthy American adults, getting approval for the vaccine will require placebo-controlled trials to show a benefit for that particular population. As an example, does a healthy 31-year-old male with no medical problems need to get a COVID-19 booster every single year, even after having received several COVID-19 boosters in the past? These are the types of questions that all Americans would like to and deserve to know with respect to COVID vaccinations. On the flip side, the new recommendations have many public health experts concerned. Pregnant healthy females could be barred from getting the COVID-19 vaccine, since the CDC has failed to provide guidance on the issue. Without a strong recommendation from the CDC, many pregnant patients could face real barriers from insurance companies to cover the vaccine, according to The New York Times. Pregnant women are at high risk for COVID infection and complications because pregnancy results in a weakened immune system. As Dr. Steven Fleischman, President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states, 'The science has not changed. It is very clear that COVID infection during pregnancy can be catastrophic and lead to major disability.' The new recommendations could harm vulnerable populations. In addition to potential decreased vaccination rates and adverse outcomes for pregnant females, children could also suffer. When pregnant females get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the third trimester, they are able to pass along antibodies and protection to their infants, who have not developed mature immune systems. If pregnant females do not get vaccinated, infants will lack these antibodies and could then go on to develop severe complications from the virus should they get infected. Finally, the new recommendations could limit access to the vaccine to those that want it. Private insurance companies usually require FDA approval and CDC recommendations to cover the vaccine as part of health insurance. The current CDC recommendations simply state young children may get the vaccine with shared-decision making, not outright stating that they should get the vaccine. In addition, the CDC falls short in explicitly recommending the vaccine for pregnant females. This could prevent private insurance companies from fully covering the vaccine. Ultimately, this may mean some pregnant women and those that cannot afford the vaccine may not have access to it. The new recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccine for children and pregnant females was made without the customary use of independent advisors, and could have important implications for public health. While aligning with international practices, the move could significantly limit the amount of vaccines available for millions of Americans.
