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At least nine killed in Seoul as car ploughs into crowd
A car has ploughed into a crowd of people killing at least nine in the South Korean capital Seoul, police say.
The traffic accident took place at around 21:30 local time (13:30 BST), they added.
As reported by Yonhap news agency, a man believed to be in his 60s drove the vehicle into pedestrians waiting at a traffic stop.
Police say they are investigating the incident, but warn that casualty numbers might increase.
According to local media, the car was driving in the wrong direction and crashed into two other vehicles before it made contact with pedestrians.
Police said the accident took place at an intersection near Seoul city hall. The driver in question, who was arrested at the scene, reportedly told the police the car suddenly accelerated.
Six people died at the scene, while three others died later of their injuries. At least four more people have been taken to hospital.
The speed limit in the country is 50 km/h (31 mph) on general urban roads, and 30 km/h in residential areas, according to a recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) into the country’s road safety. In 2022, pedestrians in South Korea accounted for 35% of all road deaths – a high share compared to other OECD countries, the agency reported. But in the same report, the OECD highlighted that road fatalities in the country had declined in recent years.
[BBC]
The US government has threatened to ban Harvard University from enrolling foreign students, after the institution said it would not bow to demands from Donald Trump’s administration.
The White House has demanded the oldest university in the US make changes to hiring, admissions and teaching practices which it says will help fight antisemitism on campus.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday accused the Ivy League school of “threatening national security” and “bending the knee to antisemitism”.
She also demanded records on its foreign student visa holders’ “illegal and violent” activities. International students make up more than 27% of Harvard’s enrolment this year.
“The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” Harvard President Alan Garber wrote in a message on Monday to the Harvard community.
Billions of dollars hang in the balance for the university – authorities have frozen $2.2 bn (£1.7bn) in federal funds, while Trump earlier threatned to also remove a valuable tax exemption, the loss of which could cost Harvard millions of dollars each year.
“Harvard can no longer be considered even a decent place of learning, and should not be considered on any list of the World’s Great Universities or Colleges,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday.
“Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds.”
The administration’s attacks on Harvard are not isolated.
During his presidential campaign, Trump pitched a funding crackdown on universities, painting them as hostile to conservatives.
Since taking office, his administration has focused particularly on colleges where pro-Palestinian protests have taken place. Some Jewish students have said they felt unsafe and faced harassment on campus.
The government’s antisemitism task force, formed in February, has identified at least 60 universities for review.
In March, Columbia University, agreed to several of the administrations demands, after $400m (£310m) in federal funding was pulled over accusations the university failed to fight antisemitism on campus.
These included replacing the official leading its Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies department and pledging to take on a review to “ensure unbiased admission processes”.
Harvard too has made concessions.
Last month, it dismissed the leaders of its Center for Middle Eastern Studies, who had come under fire for failing to represent Israeli perspectives.
Harvard has not publicly responded to Noem’s latest demands.
[BBC]
Latest News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 16 April 2025, valid for 17 April 2025
The general public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the table below and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
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