The recent depreciation of the South Korean won against the US dollar may add short-term pressure on inflation, but its overall impact is likely to be less significant than that of domestic factors, a state-run think tank said on Tuesday.

The won-greenback exchange rate has remained above the 1,400-won level -- a threshold not seen since 2009 -- following the shocking, albeit brief, martial law imposition by ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol in December. The rate has faced further pressure following new tariff measures implemented by the Donald Trump administration.

"The impact of a strong U.S. dollar on import prices tends to diminish over time, while domestic factors behind the won's depreciation generally have a more lasting and pronounced effect on consumer prices," the Korea Development Institute (KDI) said in its latest report, reports news agency.

In March, the country's consumer prices, a key indicator of inflation, rose 2.1 percent on-year, remaining in the 2 percent range for the third consecutive month.

The Philippines on Monday condemned the latest Chinese activities around Sandy Cay, emphasising that the area is part of its territory and no Chinese provocation will change that.

Chinese personnel reportedly raised a Chinese flag and conducted inspection activities on Sandy Cay, a sandbar located near Pag-asa Island, which is within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Philippines, Romualdez termed the Chinese actions as "desperate and cheap stunts" designed to mislead and bolster illegitimate claims, state-run news agency PNA reported.

"I strongly denounce the latest actions of the China Coast Guard (CCG) in and around Sandy Cay, an area well within the Philippines' EEZ and unquestionably part of Philippine sovereignty," Romualdez said in a statement.

One person died, and several others were injured on Sunday when a boat collided with a ferry off the Memorial Causeway Bridge in Florida's Clearwater, US, before fleeing the scene, authorities said.

The Clearwater Police Department announced on X that there were multiple injuries and that the crash had been declared "a mass casualty incident" by the Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department due to the number of people hurt.

All those injured were aboard the ferry, which was carrying more than 40 passengers at the time of the crash. Police have not yet released any details about the person who died in the incident.

Bangladesh is grappling with an economic crisis under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, as the banks are unable to circulate new currency notes to meet the demands in the country, local media reported on Monday.

The crisis emerged with the political transition after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following a violent uprising last year.

The new notes in the hands of Bangladesh banks are not coming to the market because all types of money and coins feature the image of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, according to a report by the leading Bangladeshi daily, Prothom Alo.

Due to this situation, citizens are facing financial losses as they do not have access to new notes. Shops and banks are also being flooded with torn and old dirty notes.

Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo said on Monday the government will make all-out efforts to attract more foreign investment and support the return of local firms from overseas.

Cheong made the remarks during a policy coordination meeting with local government leaders and officials from the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, reports news agency.

"Expanding foreign direct investment (FDI) and supporting reshoring companies are keys to enhancing national industrial competitiveness and revitalising regional economies, even in the face of abrupt changes in global trade conditions," Cheong said.

He further pledged continued policy support in close cooperation with local governments and free economic zones. In 2024, South Korea attracted a record high US$32.57 billion in FDI, the highest since records began in 1962, according to the ministry.

At least 11 people have died and several others were injured after an SUV drove into a crowd celebrating the Lapu Lapu Filipino festival in Vancouver, Canada, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said on Monday (Indian time).

The police stated that the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, has been charged with murder. The black SUV was driven into the street festival of the Filipino community at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser Street shortly after 8 p.m. on Sunday (Indian time).

"Eleven people have now died as a result of the mass-casualty event at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival. Our hearts are with all of the victims, their loved ones, and everyone who has been impacted by this act of violence. This is the darkest day in our city's history," the police department said in a statement.

Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai revealed that the driver has a significant history of interactions with police and healthcare professionals related to mental health.

A Hamas delegation arrived in Egypt's Cairo on Saturday to discuss efforts toward reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

In a press statement, Hamas said the delegation has started meetings with Egyptian officials to present the movement's vision for a comprehensive deal, which includes a Gaza ceasefire, a prisoner exchange with Israel, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the launch of reconstruction efforts.

The delegation is also expected to discuss with the Egyptian side the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza due to the ongoing Israeli blockade and the urgent need to facilitate the entry of food and medical supplies, read the statement.

Hamas further indicated that the discussions would address the formation of a community support committee to manage Gaza's civil affairs and other internal matters.

Yemen's Houthis on Saturday claimed responsibility for a missile attack that reportedly triggered sirens across southern Israel, earlier in the day.

"We targeted the Israeli enemy's Nevatim Air Base in the Negev region using a hypersonic ballistic missile," which had "successfully reached the target," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a televised statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

Sarea said the operation came in response to "the ongoing Israeli offensive on Gaza," vowing to launch more attacks until the Israeli aggression on the Palestinian enclave stops and the blockade on it is lifted.

Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen.

At least four people were killed and 516 others injured on Saturday after a massive explosion rocked Shahid Rajaee Port in the city of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran's Hormozgan province, local media reported.

The wounded have been transferred to nearby medical centers, Babak Yektaparast, spokesman for the country's Emergency Medical Services Organisation, news agency reported quoting the semi-official Fars news agency.

Yektaparast added that 90 hospital beds in Shiraz, the capital city of the neighbouring Fars province, have been ready for the hospitalisation of those potentially wounded in the incident.

According to China's Consulate General in Bandar Abbas, three Chinese citizens sustained minor injuries in the explosion. They are now in good condition after receiving medical treatment.

Former Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung scored another sweeping victory Saturday in his race for the candidacy in the upcoming June 3 Presidential election, winning the primary in the country's southwestern region.

Lee won 88.69 per cent of the votes in the DP's primary in the city of Gwangju, and the North and South Jeolla provinces, according to party officials.

Lee is considered a strong presidential contender for the liberal party. He has been taking the lead in recent opinion polls,news agency reported.

"I believe the people of Honam have entrusted me with even greater expectations and responsibility," Lee said after the results were announced.

The Jeolla regions, also known as the Honam regions, are considered a DP stronghold.