In South Korea, the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters has sparked a wave of enthusiasm, with thousands of fans buying merchandise and enjoying its many traditional references that appeal to younger audiences. The movie, which revolves around K-Pop music, has also begun attracting international tourists.

The animated film 'K-pop demon hunters' has generated significant excitement in South Korea, with fans flocking to themed events and attractions inspired by the movie. The film, which follows three K-pop stars who secretly hunt demons disguised as a rival boy band, incorporates numerous elements of Korean culture, including traditional attire and cuisine.

In response to the film's popularity, Seoul has introduced special tourist events, such as guided walks where visitors can wear traditional hats featured in the movie. The film has also boosted sales of related products and contributed to record numbers of visitors at local landmarks and the National Museum of Korea. Authorities report a notable rise in foreign tourism and merchandise sales since the film's release, further amplifying the global reach of Korean culture.

K-Pop Demon Hunters sparks fan frenzy in South Korea

From the very first notes, the crowd goes wild. In the skies above Seoul, 1,200 drones recreate the now iconic scenes from the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters. Have you watched the movie K-Pop Demon Hunters? More than 10 times. K-Pop Demon Hunters tells the story of three K-Pop stars who secretly hunt demons. But the demons disguise themselves as a rival boy band, the Saja Boys. References to Korean culture abound. One example, the gat, the traditional hat once worn by aristocrats and scholars, is worn by the demons in the movie. Oh, you're finally arrived. Welcome, Seoul Garden travelers. I'm your guide. Seoul has now launched special events for foreign tourists, including guided walks in city parks where visitors wear the gat, a playful way to attract fans of the film while also introducing them to Korean tradition. I guess I never really knew how it felt like on my head before wearing it today. I only seen it, but it's really fun, I like to wear this and experience it. Korean food is also one of the film's big standouts. This well-known instant noodle brand has seized the opportunity and teamed up with Netflix for a limited edition, hoping to boost exports. And the Seoul landmarks shown in the film have become another key attraction, helping to drive tourism in the capital. In July alone, 1.36 million foreign tourists visited Seoul, a record according to local authorities. After the success of K-pop demon hunters, we want to develop more content linked to the film so that tourists can experience more of Seoul's daily life and culture. Even more surprising, the National Museum of Korea is also reporting record numbers since the film's release in June. I think K-pop demon hunters highlights many elements that are typically Korean, like archetypes of our culture. In the museum gift shop, some items are already sold out, like this tiger figurine, inspired by a traditional Korean painting and featured in the movie. Sales have skyrocketed, up 180% in July compared to last year. K-pop demon hunters now join global hits like Parasite and Squid Game, further strengthening the Korean cultural wave around the world.

U.S. President Donald Trump was the final speaker at a politically charged memorial service for conservative activist and MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk that also included words of forgiveness from Kirk’s widow as well as remarks from the vice-president and one of Trump’s sons.

Glendale

Trump closes out Charlie Kirk memorial

Media mogul Lachlan Murdoch and business leaders Larry Ellison and Michael Dell would be involved as U.S. investors in a proposed deal to keep TikTok operating in the United States, according to President Donald Trump speaking to Fox News channel.

Washington

Trump says Murdochs would be involved in TikTok deal

Portugal, the UK, Australia and Canada joined over 150 countries that now recognise a Palestinian state. The announcements come ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in the week ahead.

Lisbon

Portugal formally recognises Palestinian state

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Nashua

Suspect yelled 'free Palestine' before country club shooting

President Trump is demanding that the Justice Department go after his political rivals following a shakeup in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Eastern Virginia. Willie James Inman reports.

Trump pressuring Justice Department to pursue his political foes

President Trump, Vice President JD Vance and several others remembered Charlie Kirk at a memorial service in Arizona that was attended by thousands.

Phoenix

Trump, others remember Charlie Kirk at memorial service

The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia officially recognized Palestine as a state Sunday, a move that has long been opposed by the U.S. and Israel. More countries are expected to do the same this week as world leaders gather in New York for the U.N. General Assembly.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

Israel continuing assault on Gaza after countries recognize Palestinian statehood

A group of US Republicans has sent a letter to France, Canada, the UK and Australia, urging them to re-consider their decision to recognise a Palestinian state.  It's warning there may be consequences if the countries move ahead with plan at the upcoming UN General Assembly.

US Republicans warn allies over decision to recognise Palestinian state

Britain, Canada and Australia all recognized a Palestinian state on Sunday (September 21) in a move borne out of frustration over the Gaza war and intended to promote a two-state solution, but which is also bound to anger Israel and its main ally, the U.S.

Britain, Canada and Australia all recognize Palestinian state

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New York

UN approves video address by Palestine’s Abbas after U.S. visa refusal

Sixty nations have agreed to a new treaty aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in international waters. But the strength of the deal governing the high seas is uncertain as some of the world’s biggest players - including China, the U.S., Russia and Japan - have yet to ratify.

Nations ratify world's first treaty to protect international waters

A cyberattack on a provider of check-in and boarding systems has disrupted operations at several major European airports including London's Heathrow, the continent's busiest, causing flight delays and cancellations on Saturday (September 20).

London

Travelers stranded as cyberattack disrupts major European airports

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Manhattan

Optus, Australia's second-largest telecom carrier, promised on Saturday "full cooperation" with official investigators, after an outage disrupted emergency call services for 13 hours. Four people died amid the technical failure, including an eight-week-old boy.

Melbourne

Telco vows to cooperate after deadly outage

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Thousands set to attend Charlie Kirk's public memorial

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia launches mass strikes across Ukraine

A cyberattack has disrupted air traffic at several airports in Europe. Check-in and boarding systems went down in London, Brussels and Berlin. Europe’s aviation safety organisation says airlines were asked to cancel 50% of their flights to reduce pressure on the system.

Heathrow Airport

Flight chaos as UK, European airports hit by cyberattack

Three Russian military jets violated NATO member Estonia's airspace for 12 minutes on Friday in an "unprecedentedly brazen" incursion, its government said, the latest in a series of recent military actions by Russia that have rattled the alliance.

Tallinn

Russian jets enter Estonia's airspace in latest test for NATO

President Trump said Friday that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping "made progress" on a deal over TikTok ownership, and that he would visit China early next year.

Trump says he and Xi Jinping 'made progress' on TikTok deal

The apparent remains of Travis Decker, the man suspected of killing his three daughters in Washington state, have been located and are undergoing DNA testing. A manhunt has been underway for Decker since his daughter's bodies were found in June.

Remains of father suspected of killing 3 daughters found

Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets lingered in NATO-member Estonia's airspace for several minutes on Friday, according to Estonian authorities. Italian F-35s responded.

Moscow

NATO defences triggered amid Russian airspace violation

Fellow comedians Jon Stewart and Jimmy Fallon mocked U.S. President Donald Trump Thursday after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled off the air on Wednesday by ABC following Federal Communications Commission pressure.

Late-night hosts mock Trump as outrage over Kimmel grows

International sanctions imposed on Iran before the 2015 nuclear deal, could be reinstated within days. The United Nations Security Council has voted against lifting sanctions permanently, because of the country's nuclear programme.

Tehran

Sanctions to hit Iran again after UN vote

Washington has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking - a claim he denies. In recent weeks, the US military has been building up its presence in the Caribbean. Venezuela has responded by holding military drills.

Caracas

Venezuela orders three-day drills amid U.S tensions

A Republican measure to keep the government funded until Nov. 21 stumbled in the Senate after clearing the House, leaving lawmakers without a clear path forward to avoid a funding lapse at the end of the month.

Government shutdown looms after GOP funding bill fails in Senate

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Chicago

Tensions boil over as protesters clash with authorities outside Chicago ICE facility

Gunfire struck the building that houses the ABC 10 TV station in Sacramento on Friday afternoon. No one was injured.

Sacramento

Gunfire strikes Sacramento ABC TV station building

President Trump signed two executive orders at the White House on Friday night. The first established the Trump Gold Card as a path to U.S. citizenship for $1 million. The second adds a $100,000 fee for skilled worker visas called H-1B worker visas.

Trump signs $1M gold card visas, adds fee for skilled workers

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Breakdown