Trump pressures

South Korea

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is increasing tariffs on South Korean goods because the country’s national assembly has yet to approve the trade framework announced last year. Trump said on social media Monday that import taxes would be raised on autos, lumber and pharmaceutical drugs from South Korea with the rate on other goods going from 15% to 25%.

The U.S. president previously imposed the tariffs by declaring an economic emergency and bypassing Congress, while South Korea needed legislative approval for the framework announced in July and affirmed during Trump’s October visit to the country.

The threat was a reminder that the tariff drama unleashed last year by Trump is likely to be repeated again and again this year.

Ferry sinks off

the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A ferry with more than 350 people on board sank early Monday near an island in the southern Philippines, killing at least 18 people.

Rescuers saved at least 316 passengers and crew members. A fleet of ships and boats backed by a surveillance plane are searching for the missing. Coast guard officials said the cargo and passenger ferry apparently encountered technical problems and sank after midnight.

The vessel abruptly tilted to one side and took on water, hurling people into the sea in the darkness. The cause of the ferry sinking was not immediately clear, and there will be an investigation.

European Union

investigates Grok

LONDON (AP) — European Union regulators have opened a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X after its AI chatbot Grok started producing nonconsensual sexualized deepfake images. The scrutiny from Brussels comes after Grok sparked backlash by using AI to undress people, including children, in images.

Some governments have banned the service or issued warnings. The EU’s executive is examining whether X has met its obligations under the Digital Services Act to contain illegal content. An X spokeswoman said the platform remains committed to safety and has zero tolerance for child sexual exploitation and non-consensual nudity.