Latest news with #Wi
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Soop emerges as powerhouse behind Asia-Pacific esports productions
Soop, a Korean streaming platform and production company, is emerging as a key player behind some of the most prominent esports leagues in the Asia-Pacific region. From Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific 2025 to PUBG Weekly Series (PWS) and the long-running ASL StarCraft league, Soop is credited with transforming competitive matches into high-quality content experiences. Soop, formerly AfreecaTV, handles over 80 esports productions annually, offering comprehensive services that span planning, direction, live broadcasting and post-match highlights. Major game publishers — including Riot Games, Krafton and Netmarble — have turned to Soop for its cinematic visuals, narrative-driven storytelling and efficient on-site operations. Recent examples include FC Online Super Champions League (FSL) Spring and Netmarble's Solo Leveling: ARISE Championship 2025, both of which were praised for their high production quality and viewer engagement. The company is also expanding globally. This August, Soop will produce the VCT Pacific Stage 2 Finals in Tokyo, marking a significant step in its international growth. As a strategic move to bolster its leading position, Soop also recently brought on board producer Wi Young-kwang, a pioneer in Korean esports production. 'We prioritize quality over cost,' Wi said, 'and our team is equipped to deliver across genres and formats.' With its own venues such as the Sangam Soop Colosseum and a cloud-based global streaming system, the company is positioning itself as a trusted partner in the global esports production landscape.
The Herald Scotland
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Yousaf: PM's ‘fearful undertones' on immigration voter ‘dog whistle'
Number 10 has already rejected claims that the remarks echoed those in Enoch Powell's infamous 1968 'rivers of blood' speech. But Mr Yousaf insisted it had 'the same fearful undertones', as he argued that migrants are the people who 'keep Britain afloat'. In a piece written for LBC, the former SNP leader said: 'Starmer's invocation of 'strangers' is a modern echo – a dog whistle to voters who blame migrants for every social ill, from stretched public services to the cost-of-living crisis. 'It betrays a failure to understand, or deliberately mask, the fact that Britain's prosperity depends on migration, on openness – not building walls.' Mr Yousaf, who described himself as being the 'proud grandson of immigrants', launched the attack days after the UK Government unveiled plans that will mean those coming to Britain will have to wait 10 years to apply for settled status, instead of five. Other changes will mean a higher standard of English will be required for those seeking to come to the UK, while ministers will also end overseas recruitment for care home workers. Under the Tories, nearly one million people came to the UK from overseas between 2019 and 2023. My Labour government is taking back control of our borders. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 12, 2025 Mr Yousaf said that the Prime Minister's speech had 'underlined a lamentable truth', that 'the Labour Party has become so desperate to stem the decline in their polling, they haven't just lurched to the right, but are comfortable embracing rhetoric once confined to the hardest edges of the Conservative Party and now central to Nigel Farage's Reform Party'. Stressing the importance of immigrants to the UK, the former SNP leader that in England 'roughly 35% of doctors are non-British', adding that these people 'save lives on a daily basis'. He also noted more than 10,000 social care staff in Scotland have come from overseas, adding that 'every major sector' in the economy 'relies on migrants to plug chronic skills gaps'. As such, Mr Yousaf told the Prime Minister: 'Denigrate immigrants as 'strangers' and you undermine and repel the very people who keep Britain afloat.' With Anas Sarwar having agreed that migration must come down 'across the board', Mr Yousaf hit out at the Scottish Labour leader for having 'slavishly' fallen into line behind the Prime Minister. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was accused of 'slavishly' supporting the PM (Image: Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Yousaf said: 'Under current rules, neither Sarwar's father nor my own would have been allowed into the UK to build prosperous lives, not only for their own families but for the hundreds, if not thousands, of people they have employed over the years.' The former SNP leader added: 'Sarwar's promise of standing up to Starmer and up for Scotland is rightly ridiculed, and as I suspect Anas will find out, the people of Scotland see right through it. 'He has sat silent as Starmer betrayed Waspi women, cut the Winter Fuel Allowance, slashed disability support, and now threatens our country's prosperity – all to try and pander to Reform voters.' READ MORE: Sarwar backs immigration reforms but avoids Starmer's rhetoric Nicola Sturgeon: Prime Minister's immigration comments 'dumb politics' Recalling that he had been first minister of Scotland at a time when Rishi Sunak was prime minister and Sadiq Khan was London Mayor, Mr Yousaf insisted: 'We should feel a sense of pride that in Britain at one time we had a Muslim Mayor of London, Hindu PM, and Scottish-Pakistani first minister. 'That is a blueprint for other nations on how multiculturalism has been a success, not a failure.' He praised his successor John Swinney, for his 'leadership' on such issues and for 'condemning Reform's vile rhetoric and standing firmly for inclusive values'. Mr Yousaf added: 'If only more politicians had such conviction, we would not be on the brink of possibly handing the keys of No 10 to Nigel Farage.' However a spokesperson for the Scottish Labour leader told LBC that the 'desperate attack' from Mr Yousaf 'deliberately misunderstands and misrepresents Anas Sarwar's position on a number of issues'. The spokesperson said: 'It is possible to celebrate the positive impact of immigration and diaspora communities in our society, while believing we need a managed and controlled immigration system. To pretend otherwise only helps right-wing politicians to use the issue to divide our communities. 'It is worth remembering that Humza Yousaf is a former health secretary and former first minister who helped create a social care crisis in Scotland by breaking the system, cutting budgets for councils, failing to workforce plan, and delivering chronically low pay and conditions for care workers.'
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First Post
28-04-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Iran port explosion caused by Chinese missile fuel: Reports
There are indications that the explosion at the Bandar Abbas port in Iran, which killed dozens and injured dozens, was caused by improper handling of ammonium perchlorate imported from China, a chemical used as a missile fuel. read more In this photo provided by Iranian Students' News Agency, ISNA, a helicopter drops water on the fire after a massive explosion rocked a port near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, Iran, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Photo: AP) The massive explosion at Iran's Bandar Abbas port was caused by imported missile fuel from China, according to reports. Earlier this year, China had imported ammonium perchlorate from China. The chemical is used a fuel to propel missiles. The sale of ammonium perchlorate to Iran is restricted under US sanctions on the Islamist regime. There are indications that the explosion at the port that killed dozens and injured hundreds was caused by the mishandling of ammonium perchlorate. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At least 40 people have been killed and 1,200 injured in the explosion, according to Iranian state media. The New York Times and private security company Ambrey reported that the blast was a result of improper storage of ammonium perchlorate at the port. Iran had imported ammonium perchlorate from China this year as a result of the depletion of Iran's stocks after two rounds of aerial battles with Israel. In these battles, Israel had also damaged Iran's missile production capabilities in addition to taking out most of the regime's air defences. Iranian state media have reported that the blast at Bandar Abbas was likely set off by containers of chemicals but did not go into specifics. The media have suggested sabotage. Earlier this year, at least two ships named Golbon and MV Jairan arrived in Iran from China with more than 1,000 tons of ammonium perchlorate at the behest of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) of Iran, according to CNN. Shipping Journal Maritime Executive reported that combined cargos of the two ships 'would be sufficient to fuel approximately 250 medium range Khybar-Shikan and Fattah missiles, or shorter range Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar missiles, or their Houthi equivalents'. Earlier in January, when the supply of ammonium perchlorate from China to Iran was first reported, former CIA analyst Dennis Wilder told Financial Times that China has a long history of arming Iran dating back to 1980s when it supplied Silkworm anti-ship missiles during the Iran-Iraq war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Since the early 1990s, China has assisted the Iranian military extensively with its ballistic missile development programme and has provided expertise, technology, parts, and training. China's motivation for secretly assisting Iran today includes clandestinely helping Iran produce missiles for the Russian war effort [in Ukraine], cementing common cause against perceived US hegemonism . . . and Beijing's purchase annually of large amounts of discounted Iranian crude oil,' said Wilder, who is currently an assistant professor at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.
Japan Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Aide to South Korean candidate suggests review of wartime labor solution
Wi Sung-lac, a South Korean lawmaker who advises presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung on diplomacy, has offered the view that the solution offered by the country's previous administration to resolve the wartime labor issue with Japan needs to be reviewed in some way. In a recent interview, Wi said the solution lacks public consensus and should be supplemented if possible. However, Wi said that if Lee, former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, wins the June 3 presidential election, his new administration will focus on cooperation with the United States and Japan, which share South Korea's liberal democratic values. The administration of then-South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol announced a plan to have a Seoul-affiliated foundation pay compensation to Korean plaintiffs in wartime labor lawsuits on behalf of Japanese companies sued by them. Wi said that while he understands the direction the previous government had tried to take in offering a solution, there are some aspects that are difficult for the public to support. He added that this is a sensitive historical issue and that a process to hear the public's opinions was necessary. Wi did not provide specifics on the review of the solution but said that a Lee administration might discuss historical issues more than the Yoon administration. At the same time, there are many ways that Japan and South Korea can cooperate on security and other issues, Wi said, emphasizing that historical discussions will not restrict current or future cooperation. A former diplomat, Wi served as South Korea's chief delegate to the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear development program and as South Korean ambassador to Russia. Wi said that a firm South Korea-U.S. alliance, Seoul's strong partnership with Tokyo and South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation will be the core of Lee's foreign policy if he comes to power. Meanwhile, Wi criticized the Yoon administration for placing too much emphasis on the United States and Japan, saying that South Korea's relations with China and Russia are at their worst. South Korea's geopolitical situation makes it difficult for the country to do away with its relations with neighboring countries and a comprehensive response is necessary, Wi said, expressing his desire to improve relations with China and Russia. To resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, Wi stressed the importance of negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang and those between Seoul and Pyongyang, as well as those of multilateral frameworks.
Korea Herald
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Is Microsoft overlooking Korean gamers?
Game industry expert says Korean gaming market has lost appeal with rise of competitors such as China Microsoft's decision not to release its latest title in South Korea has reignited criticism over its neglect of Korean gamers -- and game industry experts say such a move reflects Korea's declining standing in the global gaming industry. Bethesda Softworks, a US-based game publisher under Microsoft, released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered at midnight Wednesday (Korean time), marking the return of the 2006 role-playing game classic. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered launched globally via digital storefronts of Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. The remastered game features a visual overhaul of the original game using Unreal Engine 5, expanded gaming territories, as well as newly added dialogues, visual and audio effects. Notably absent in the global launch is South Korea, with the country being one of the only two countries where the game is not available for purchase on Steam, alongside Russia. On Steam, the game is available for purchase in 41 countries. The omission has reignited longstanding criticism of Microsoft's localization strategy and its perceived neglect of the Korean gaming community. The Outer Worlds 2, another upcoming Microsoft title, is reportedly not planning to include Korean language support at launch, echoing the nationwide controversy that surrounded the release of Starfield in 2023. Microsoft's decision to exclude a Korean language option in Starfield had sparked public outcry, including protests, boycotts and online petitions from Korean gamers demanding language support for the game. In January, frustration also mounted over Microsoft's promotion of Diablo 1 Remastered, a Blizzard title added to Game Pass. Although the game was marketed in Korea, it was never released in the local market, prompting accusations of false advertising. Industry analysts say the company's diminishing focus on Korea reflects broader shifts in the global gaming landscape. 'The Korean gaming market has lost much of its appeal (as a consumer) due to the rise of competitors such as China,' said Wi Jong-hyun, president of the Korea Game Society. According to him, Korea was once a strong consumer as well as a potential partner, with leading game IPs in mobile and RPG gaming sectors. However, he said China has stepped in to overtake Korea, with its gaming industry experiencing strong growth. 'From Microsoft's perspective, the priority is console sales, but Xbox remains a hard sell in Korea,' Wi added. 'As for the recent 'Elder Scrolls' situation, there may have been technical or localization issues for the company to leave out only Korea and Russia. But in the past, such factors wouldn't have stopped publishers from prioritizing Korea. Today, the incentive just isn't there.'
