Global News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

South Korean court acquits officials in 2020 maritime shooting incident, citing lack of evidence.

U.S. futures dip, Asian shares mixed; Gold, silver hit records amid global uncertainty, Japans Nikkei surges on record defense budget; Oil ticks higher, bitcoin climbs.

South Korea to Phase Out Foreign Adoptions: A Response to Human Rights Concerns South Koreas government announced plans to phase out foreign adoptions of its children over the next five years, following UN investigators concerns over decades of human rights violations. The program, which peaked in the 1970s and 1980s, sent thousands of children abroad annually, often through private agencies with questionable practices. Adoptees like Yooree Kim, sent to France in 1984 without her parents consent, have endured severe abuse and petitioned the UN for reparations. Officials now focus on future fixes, including public oversight and promoting domestic adoptions. As pressure mounts, South Korea vows tighter welfare policies, but calls grow for stronger remedies and restarting investigations to address the painful legacy.

The United Arab Emirates reaffirms support for Saudi Arabias security efforts in Yemen, despite the Southern Transitional Council (STC) seizing control in Aden. The UAE praises Saudi initiatives and emphasizes commitment to Yemens stability. Saudi Arabia urges STC to de-escalate tensions and withdraw from eastern provinces. The STC, initially part of the Saudi-led coalition, now seeks self-rule in the south. The UAEs stance indicates continued involvement as Yemens fragile peace remains uncertain.

Heated Rivalry is a steamy TV adaptation of Rachel Reids novel, debuting on HBO Max and quickly becoming the number one series. The show features a secret decade-long queer romance between Canadian hockey player Shane Hollander and his Russian rival Ilya Rozanov. The series has been renewed for a second season and has boosted sales of Reids books. The leads, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, have been praised for their chemistry and diversity. Heated Rivalry is shining a spotlight on hockey romances and could pave the way for more authenticity in sports romance.

In the serene retirement community of The Terraces, seniors are embarking on extraordinary virtual adventures, thanks to Rendevers VR technology. From swimming with dolphins to soaring over Europe, these experiences are sparking joy, memories, and connections. With a recent grant from the National Institutes of Health, Rendever is set to tackle senior isolation, proving that virtual reality is more than just entertainment.

President Trump orders a strike against Islamic State in Nigeria, praising military precision. The attack, a joint operation with Nigerian forces, targets terrorists, not religions. Trumps claims of Christian persecution spark debate, as Nigerian officials assert religious tolerance. Groups tracking violence find no evidence of Christian persecution. The strike underscores growing US-Nigeria cooperation against extremism.

Japans cabinet approves record defense budget, focusing on new missiles and drones amid rising regional tensions. The budget, topping $58 billion, marks a nine percent increase from last year and is part of a five-year plan to double arms spending to two percent of GDP. Japan is also breaking from its self-defense only stance, deploying Type twelve missiles and opening a new office to study Chinas Pacific moves. The budget, set to be approved by parliament in March, will make Japan the worlds third biggest military spender.