Seoul Gazette - News from Seoul, the Dongan District, Manan District, Buk District, Busanjin District, South Korea and the world

A US appeals court on Wednesday denied Anthropic's request to put on hold a move by the Pentagon to label it a supply chain risk, but ordered the AI startup's legal battle with the Department of War to be put on a fast track.

Badminton will trial synthetic shuttlecocks at lower-grade tournaments with a view to potentially using them at elite level, the sport's governing body said, because of a shortage of duck and goose feathers.

The world's top golfers are gearing up for a demanding test at Augusta National, where firm, fast conditions await in Thursday's opening round of the 90th Masters.

South Korean K-pop megastars BTS will kick off their world tour on Thursday, riding the momentum of a chart-topping comeback album and a landmark performance in the heart of Seoul.

The Grand National is a radically different challenge than it was when Mick Fitzgerald rode Rough Quest to victory in 1996, but he told AFP you have "to evolve or you die".

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen told Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday that "teamwork is willingness" during an Earth-to-space call celebrating the achievements of the historic lunar journey.

New Zealand's self-described "fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo-acapella-rap-funk-comedy-folk duo" Flight of the Conchords sold out their first shows in eight years in minutes this week, sparking a frenzy among fans.

The fragile truce between Iran and the United States entered its second day on Thursday, with Tehran threatening to resume hostilities as Israel launched a major bombardment of Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump bashed NATO and appeared to renew his threats over Greenland after a closed-door meeting with alliance chief Mark Rutte, during which he was expected to discuss possibly leaving the pivotal security bloc.

After a successful trip around the Moon, everything has been going smoothly on the Orion spacecraft’s journey back to Earth – except for the $23 million toilet, which has gotten clogged.

Argentine MPs on Wednesday inched closer to adopting a bill promoted by President Javier Milei that authorizes mining in ecologically sensitive areas of glaciers and permafrost.

Liverpool coach Arne Slot admitted his team were well beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg as he defended his decision to play with three central defenders and insisted the Reds still had hope going into the return.

After years of sidelining the Sahel's military rulers, the United States under President Donald Trump is shifting to engagement and prioritizing the quest for security and minerals over promotion of democracy.

Prosecutors have requested medical records for all the prescription drugs Tiger Woods was taking when he crashed his car near his Florida home last month.

England's Aaron Rai birdied the last two holes to win Wednesday's Masters Par-Three Contest and risk the event's curse for the year's first major tournament.

Brazil's renowned Amazonian tribal chief Raoni Metuktire told AFP on Wednesday he supported the reelection bid of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in October polls, despite criticizing him for expanding oil exploration.

US President Donald Trump held high-stakes talks with NATO chief Mark Rutte Wednesday, with the White House saying he would discuss the possibility of leaving the alliance after it failed to join the Iran war.

Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth's goals earned Atletico Madrid a commanding 2-0 lead over 10-man Barcelona in a tense Champions League quarter-final first leg clash on Wednesday.

Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored the goals to give a dominant Paris Saint-Germain a 2-0 win over Liverpool in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday, as the holders seized a clear advantage to take to Anfield for next week's return.

Meta on Wednesday released an artificial intelligence model, Muse Spark, it touts as smarter and faster than what it offered before shaking up its Superintelligence Labs unit.

While some Iranians in the capital Tehran fear the ceasefire with the United States will lead to nothing, others declared victory and most breathed a sigh of relief after weeks of war.

US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday urged Iran not to let the fragile ceasefire deal fall apart over Israel's attacks on Lebanon, days before he is due to lead talks with Tehran in Pakistan.

The fragile two-week truce between Iran and the United States was hanging in the balance on Wednesday, with Tehran threatening to resume hostilities as Israel launched a major bombardment of Lebanon.

The scale of the killing in Israeli strikes on Lebanon Wednesday is "horrific", the UN rights chief said, urging the international community to help end the unfolding "nightmare".

A British-American dealer dubbed the "Ketamine Queen" who sold the drugs that killed "Friends" star Matthew Perry, and boasted she supplied an elite circle of Hollywood VIPs, was jailed for 15 years on Wednesday.

Frenchman Axel Laurance said he "became someone else" to clinch the third stage of the Tour of the Basque Country on Wednesday after a late two-man battle with Spaniard Igor Arrieta.

Real Betis fought back to earn a 1-1 draw in their Europa League quarter-final first leg at Braga on Wednesday.

England's Jos Buttler struck form with a fluent 52 to help Gujarat Titans to their first win of the 2026 IPL as they beat Delhi Capitals in a last-ball thriller on Wednesday with David Miller falling just short of guiding his new side home.

Donald Trump claimed "total" victory after a ceasefire with Iran. But critics say the deal is a fresh example of their maxim that the tough-talking US president always "chickens out."

Daniil Medvedev slipped to an embarrassing 6-0, 6-0 thrashing by Matteo Berrettini in the Monte Carlo Masters second round on Wednesday, as Alexander Zverev dug deep to beat Cristian Garin.

US President Donald Trump will discuss the possibility of leaving NATO when he meets with the alliance's chief Mark Rutte on Wednesday, the White House said, accusing Washington's partners of "turning their back" on the American people.

Five Americans with multiple major triumphs but no green jacket made final preparations Wednesday at Augusta National on the eve of the 90th Masters.