Heat & Health: South Korea issued its first-ever emergency heatwave warning under a new rating system, with Gyeongsan and Pohang told to stop outdoor activity and avoid heat risks even for healthy people as “feels-like” temperatures hit emergency thresholds. Urban Nature Under Threat: A centuries-old Buam-dong ginkgo tree in Seoul is on the brink of death after alleged herbicide poisoning by workers tied to the Whanki Museum, sparking calls for stronger protection of urban biodiversity. Waste-to-Energy Push: The PM ordered faster progress on waste-to-energy projects in Dhaka, including a municipal-waste-to-electricity plant and a methane-from-waste scheme, both framed as environmentally friendlier tech for longer-term waste management. Regional Water Safety Debate: Pacific Islands leaders demanded evidence-based answers on Japan’s plan to discharge Fukushima wastewater, challenging the science behind IAEA endorsement. Alliance Info Security: South Korea and the U.S. held their first joint tabletop exercise to counter wartime foreign disinformation, bringing multiple agencies into a whole-of-government response plan. AI for Early Detection: KAIST-led research unveiled a home-monitoring AI system that flags early cerebrovascular disease risk from daily behavior and indoor conditions. Local Finance & ESG: POSCO and KB Kookmin Bank signed a supply-chain finance MOU that also includes ESG consulting for partner firms. Semiconductor Spotlight: SK hynix’s Nasdaq debut raised about $26.5B, underscoring Korea’s AI-chip momentum.