SBS News

NYT: Mired in Iran Conflict, Trump Turns to Familiar Kim Jong Un President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un As U.S. President Donald Trump wages a war with Iran, he has turned his attention to emphasizing his friendly relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and announced that he ordered a reduction in joint South Korea-U.S. SBS Aug 18, 2026 6:25 PM

Japan's Defense Minister Calls News Report on South Korea's Backlash Over Yasukuni Visit 'Incomprehensible' This is the seventh consecutive year a sitting Japanese cabinet minister has visited the shrine. SBS Aug 18, 2026 5:42 PM

Trump Says No Extension for End-of-War MOU... Iran Warns of Shift to "Full-Scale Offensive" Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he has no intention of extending the end-of-war memorandum of understanding with Iran. SBS Aug 18, 2026 5:16 PM

Festival Scenes Turn to Chaos: Fireworks Malfunction Turns Celebration into Terror Festivals in Spain and Mexico that were meant to be joyful suddenly turned into disasters due to similar causes. SBS Aug 18, 2026 5:16 PM

"Saudi Arabia Explores Crude Oil Exports via Ship-to-Ship Transfers Off Oman Coast" Citing sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported that Saudi Arabia's state-run oil company, Aramco, is proposing that crude oil transported by shuttle tankers can be purchased through ship-to-ship transfers in nearby waters such as the port of Sohar in the Gulf of Oman. SBS Aug 18, 2026 4:57 PM

Russia Labels UK 'Terrorism Accomplice' Over Drone Support for Ukraine In response to Ukraine striking deep into the Russian mainland using British-made drones, Russia has designated the UK as an "accomplice in terrorism" and warned that it will face consequences. SBS Aug 18, 2026 4:38 PM

Tesla Reportedly Preparing to Launch Cybercab Without Steering Wheel and Pedals as Early as This Month electric vehicle maker Tesla is preparing to launch its autonomous robotaxi, the "Cybercab," which features no steering wheel or brake pedals, as early as this month, U.S. SBS Aug 18, 2026 4:09 PM

Chinese Media Warns AI Voice Cloning Threatens Social Trust, Calls for Regulation In a commentary released on August 17, Xinhua News Agency reported that "as AI voice cloning technology continues to advance and penetrates daily life alongside social media, the abuse of AI 'voice theft' is constantly emerging." The commentary pointed out that "this not only exposes multiple security issues but also becomes a new method of fraud, bringing fresh challenges to social governance." Xinhua explained that personal rights are being infringed upon as individuals' voices are collected without permission, trained into AI voice packs, and used in short videos or commercial advertisements, or even traded publicly. SBS Aug 18, 2026 3:53 PM

Trump's Approval Rating Falls to 33%, Lowest of Second Term Amid Concerns Over Prolonged Iran War President Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump's job approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since he returned to office. SBS Aug 18, 2026 3:17 PM

Costa Rica Moves to Strip Former Presidents of Monthly 12 Million Won Pensions The Costa Rican government has submitted a bill to the legislature to completely abolish privileged pensions for former presidents that exceed 12 million won per month. SBS Aug 18, 2026 2:29 PM