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South Korea approved the construction of two nuclear reactors on the nation’s east coast, reviving a project that was scrapped by the former administration, which had pursued an anti-nuclear policy. The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission greenlighted the building of Shin Hanul No. 3 and 4 reactors in Uljin, it said in a statement Thursday.

SINGAPORE — Pope Francis on Thursday praised Singapore’s economic strength as a testament to human ingenuity but urged the city-state to look after the weakest, too, especially foreign workers, as he opened the final leg of his tour through some of Asia’s poorest countries in one of the world’s richest. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Singapore celebrated his arrival by unveiling a new hybrid orchid named for him, the “Dendrobium His Holiness Pope Francis.” Presented during an official welcome ceremony, the orchid “exudes a serene and pure beauty” of ivory white petals with a pink tinge at the center, according to the National Parks Board. Francis arrived in Singapore from East Timor and began his official program Thursday by meeting with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong before addressing government authorities and the diplomatic corps at the National University of Singapore. Read More: What to Know About Pope Francis’ Historic Asia Trip There, Francis marveled at Singapore’s modern skyscrapers “that seem to rise from the sea” and the government’s commitment to sustainable development and providing public housing and quality education and health care to its people.

China has strongly advised its carmakers to make sure advanced electric vehicle technology stays in the country, people familiar with the matter said, even as they build factories around the world to escape punitive tariffs on Chinese exports. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Beijing is encouraging Chinese automakers to export so-called knock-down kits to their foreign plants, the people said, meaning key parts of a vehicle would be produced domestically and then sent for final assembly in their destination market.

LIMA, Peru — Alberto Fujimori, whose decade-long presidency began with triumphs righting Peru’s economy and defeating a brutal insurgency only to end in a disgrace of autocratic excess that later sent him to prison, has died. He was 86. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] His death Wednesday in the capital, Lima, was announced by his daughter Keiko Fujimori in a post on X. He had been pardoned in December from his convictions for corruption and responsibility for the murder of 25 people.

China clearly looms large over the U. S. presidential election in November. Both the Democratic ticket led by Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican one led by former President Donald Trump have emphasized the great power rivalry throughout their campaigns, albeit Harris to a lesser extent. Overall, their approaches have some differences—and many similarities. Trump—and his running mate Ohio Sen.

PARIS — French authorities foiled three plots to attack the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris and other cities that hosted the summer events, the national counterterrorism prosecutor said on Wednesday. Olivier Christen said the plots included plans to attack “ Israeli institutions or representatives of Israel in Paris” during the July 26 to Aug.