South Korea plans to dispatch a chartered plane on Wednesday to return hundreds of citizens detained in last week’s immigration raid in the US state of Georgia, Korean Air has said.
Korean Air, South Korea’s flagship carrier, said on Tuesday that it would operate a flight to Atlanta, Georgia, to repatriate the workers following their arrest at the construction site of a South Korean-operated electric-vehicle battery plant.
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“Korean Air is planning to operate a charter flight to Atlanta tomorrow using a Boeing 747-8i,” a company spokesperson said.
US immigration authorities on Thursday detained about 475 people at the site of the $4.3bn Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint venture in Bryan County, Georgia.
About 300 of those swept up in the raid were South Korean nationals.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has launched a sweeping crackdown on unauthorised migration under the direction of US President Donald Trump, said the arrested individuals were found to be working illegally in violation of the terms of their visas.
The raid has provoked outrage in South Korea, which has poured billions of dollars in investment into the US in recent years, and ranks among Washington’s closest allies in Asia.
South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, who called the detention of his countrymen a “grave situation”, departed for Washington, DC, on Monday for talks on the issue.
Cho is expected to seek assurances from US officials that the workers will not face a multi-year ban from re-entry to the US, as is typical for those subject to deportation.
On Sunday, Trump issued a warning to foreign companies to “please respect” US immigration law, while insisting that foreign investment was welcome.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked by Nottingham Forest early on Tuesday after 21 months in charge at the Premier League club.
“The club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era,” said a club statement released just after midnight.
Nuno becomes the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season, two weeks after admitting his relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis had deteriorated.
“Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following recent circumstances, Nuno Espirito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as head coach,” said the club.
The 51-year-old took charge in December 2023 after Steve Cooper was sacked and went on to save them from relegation.
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Last season, the club finished seventh in the Premier League, their highest since 1994/95.
That secured their first European berth in 30 years, with a Europa League place handed to Forest instead of their initial Conference League spot, after Crystal Palace’s demotion for breaching UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
“The club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era at the City Ground, in particular his role in the 2024/25 season, which will forever be remembered fondly in the history of the club,” said the statement
“As someone who played a pivotal role in our success last season, he will always hold a special place in our journey.”
Forest sit 10th in the Premier League after three games this season and were beaten 3-0 by West Ham in Nuno’s last game in charge.
British media reported that talks had begun to appoint a successor quickly, with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said to be among the candidates.
The former Tottenham manager, Nuno, had been critical of Forest’s transfer activity since the end of last season, with new sporting director Edu reportedly taking a more hands-on role in signings.
“I always had a very good relationship with the owner. Last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis. This season it is not so well,” Nuno said of his dealings with Marinakis.
“Our relationship has changed and we are not as close. Everybody at the club should be together but this is not the reality.”
But Nuno later said he had spoken to Marinakis on the phone and was confident reports that he could be sacked were wide of the mark.
“These kinds of things should be done in the right moment… we have the international break and I think that is the right moment.”
Thailand’s Supreme Court has ruled that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must serve one year in prison, in a watershed case for the kingdom.
The court issued its ruling on Tuesday in a review of whether Thaksin’s stay in the private room of a police hospital from 2023 to early 2024 counted as time served towards an earlier prison sentence.
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Thaksin, 76, was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in 2023 for fraud and abuse of power following his surprise return to Thailand after 15 years in exile.
His sentence was commuted to one year by the king, and he was later released early due to his age.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, the former premier never spent a day in prison and instead remained in hospital due to health concerns.
“Of all the options that were on the table, either complete release or some form of home arrest, this is the worst option,” said Al Jazeera correspondent Tony Cheng from Bangkok.
Cheng said that the verdict would be unsurprising for many Thais.
“People were quite disappointed he spent all that time in police hospital; he didn’t even end up serving a night in jail in the end. I think this will be seen as some kind of justifiable sentence for the crimes that many people feel that he was guilty of during his time in power,” he said.
Thaksin’s return to prison marks the latest blow for his troubled political dynasty, which has held sway over Thai politics for 25 years.
The billionaire businessman served as prime minister from 2001 until 2006, when he was ousted by a military coup. He left Thailand in 2008, but his Pheu Thai party and its allies have remained highly influential ever since.
Despite wielding influence from abroad, Thaksin was never able to regain his former popularity following his return to Thailand, according to Cheng.
“It was felt that this could be a second coming for Thaksin, but over the past two years we’ ve really seen his influence wane. He wasn’t able to bring to bear that dynamism that we had seen before,” he said.
Thaksin’s Pheu Thai party returned to power in 2023, but last week it was ousted by the Bhumjaithai Party, its one-time ally and coalition partner.
It was the second setback in as many weeks after Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was formally removed from her post as prime minister over her mishandling of a border conflict with Cambodia.
She held the post for less than a year.
Last week, Thaksin generated speculation online that he might once again try to flee Thailand after he made an unexpected trip to Dubai – a city where he spent time in exile in the past.
Thaksin’s private plane was bound for Singapore on Thursday night when it suddenly rerouted midair to the Middle East, raising questions online about whether he intended to return.
Today’s horoscope for September 9 sees one star sign could improve their future prospects, while another is told to to venture out to discover the world
Find out what’s written in the stars with our astrologer Russell Grant(Image: Daily Record/GettyImages)
It’s Tuesday, September 9th, and one star sign’s friend will surprise them by suggesting something unusual.
There are 12 zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – and the horoscopes for each can give you the lowdown on what your future holds, be it in work, your love life, your friends and family or more.
These daily forecasts have been compiled by astrologer Russell Grant, who has been reading star signs for over 50 years. From Aries through to Pisces, here’s what today could bring for your horoscope – and what you can do to be prepared.
Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
In the workplace you will shine. Whatever you decide to take on you will make an impressive job of it. You might even catch others off guard when they did not realise you were so talented. You might start thinking about buying a new laptop or some other technical gadget.
Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)
You will prefer to work alone if you have the choice. Solitary activities will mean you don’t have to show an interest in whatever other people are doing. Not only this but it means you can work on your own objectives and there is something special you are hoping to achieve.
Gemini (May 22 – June 21)
A friend will surprise you by suggesting something unusual. This may mean a quick change of plans but you will be interested in their proposal. Some news received around midday will delight you. Are you single? Someone you recently met wants to see you again.
Cancer (June 22 – July 23)
Conversations with your boss or an authority figure will reveal something interesting that has been kept from you up until now. The reason someone has been secretive doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you will be given a chance to accept a new assignment that will improve your future prospects.
Leo (July 24 – Aug 23)
You would love to just escape from your usual routines and familiar places. You need to get away and experience something different. Invite a friend to take a short trip with you. Head for museums, castles or galleries or a nearby exhibition you keep promising yourself you will visit.
Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept 23)
Your help is required behind the scenes. Since this is where you feel most comfortable, you will not mind this in the least. A close friend could do with some practical support. Take them out to dinner and give them a chance to discuss their problems in detail.
Libra (Sept 24 – Oct 23)
You’re in tune with your inner-self and that’s why your creativity is flowing. You’re also feeling playful and full of exciting ideas. Whether it’s travel plans or something involving children, hospitality or entertainment, you are feeling inspired. People want to hear your thoughts.
Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 22)
Don’t be surprised if your usual routines are disrupted in some way. Small appliances will break down. You could find yourself low on coffee or tea when you could do with a caffeine boost. Be prepared for changes in your day and allow yourself some extra time to adapt to minor surprises.
Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 21)
Travel plans will feel uncertain. Even if you thought everything had been arranged, be prepared for potential changes or cancellations. At the same time, conversations with senior colleagues and media professionals may be quite intense. Take your time. You don’t have to make decisions there and then.
Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
Now is a good time for you to venture out to discover the world around you. Find new places in your own locality that you haven’t yet visited. Make room for new interests and activities and you will find that opportunities will come your way when you keep an open mind.
Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
Money matters are on your mind. How can you make the most of your savings? While it is advisable not to waste cash on unnecessary items, you might want to invest in things that will benefit you in the long-run. Think about enrolling on an online course, attending workshops or pursuing further qualifications.
Article continues below
Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
A meeting with a group of colleagues will be of considerable importance. Agreements made may even trigger a sense of competition. An invitation to participate in a group event needs your serious consideration. Your contribution could help make a difference.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen a test of a new rocket engine designed for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that he described as marking a “significant change in expanding and strengthening” the country’s strategic nuclear forces.
The country’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday that the successful test marked the ninth and final ground test of the solid-fuel rocket engine, built with carbon fibre and capable of producing 1,971 kilonewtons of thrust – a measure of propulsive force which is more powerful than earlier North Korean rocket engines.
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The KCNA said that Kim expressed satisfaction after Monday’s test, calling the “eye-opening” development of the new rocket engine a “significant change” in North Korean nuclear capabilities.
The announcement that tests on the solid-fuel rocket are now complete comes a week after Kim visited the research institute that developed the engine, and where he unveiled that a next-generation Hwasong-20 ICBM is currently under development.
The test launch of a solid-fuel Hwasong-18 ICBM at an undisclosed location in North Korea, April 2023 [KCNA via Reuters]
The development of North Korea’s ICBM arsenal adds to Pyongyang’s efforts in recent years to build weapons that pose as a viable threat to the continental United States, according to defence analysts.
Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions are seen as a means to bolster North Korea’s status as a nuclear power and give it leverage in negotiating economic and security concessions with the US and other world powers.
North Korea also marked the 77th anniversary of its founding on Tuesday, by the current leader’s grandfather, Kim Il-sung.
In a separate report, KCNA said that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to Kim and called for strengthened “strategic communication” between Beijing and Pyongyang.
“The Chinese side is ready to join hands in promoting the China-DPRK friendship and the socialist cause of the two countries through the intensified strategic communication and brisk visits and close cooperation with the DPRK side,” Xi wrote, using the acronym for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Last week, Kim joined Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi in Beijing for China’s Victory Day Parade commemorating the end of World War II.
Syria has “strongly condemned” Israeli attacks on several sites in and around Homs city in the west of the country and around the coastal city of Latakia.
The Israeli air strikes in the early hours of Tuesday represent “a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic”, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
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The ministry also described the Israeli attacks as “a direct threat” to Syrian security and regional stability, the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said.
SANA did not provide details on the size of the attacks on Homs and Latakia, or possible casualties following the strikes.
The United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that Israeli warplanes attacked a Syrian air force base in Homs, where locals heard huge explosions, though there were no initial reports of casualties.
In Latakia, Israeli fighter jets attacked a military barracks, and locals reported that ambulances were heard rushing to the scene of the strikes, though there were also no initial reports of casualties in that attack.
Israel’s continuing and unprovoked attacks on Syria are “part of a series of aggressive escalations pursued by Israel against Syrian territory”, and the government rejects “any attempts to undermine its sovereignty or harm its national security”, the Foreign Ministry said in its statement.
The ministry also called on the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to take a “clear and firm stand to put an end” to the Israeli attacks, which the ministry said are a “flagrant violation” of international law and the principles of the UN Charter, SANA said.
According to the SOHR, Israel has carried out almost 100 attacks so far this year, including 86 strikes from the air and 11 attacks by Israeli ground forces, leading to the destruction of some 135 sites in the country and the killing of 61 people.
In just the period between December 8, 2024 – the date of the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Damascus – and December 31, 2024, Israel carried out more than 500 air attacks on targets across the country.
While Israel had for years waged a secretive campaign of aerial bombardment against Syria’s military infrastructure, its attacks on its neighbour have ramped up since the war on Gaza and the fall of the al-Assad regime.
In late August, six Syrian soldiers were killed in an Israeli drone strike on Damascus , which came a day after a ground incursion into Syrian territory by Israeli troops.
