At least 18 people have died in South Korea due to severe flooding and landslides caused by several days of torrential rain.

The heavy rainfall has resulted in extensive damage across various regions, with concerns that the death toll could rise as emergency response teams continue their efforts to locate missing individuals.

Rescue operations are particularly focused on areas that were heavily impacted, including those near the capital Seoul and further south in regions such as Son County.

Reports indicate that significant infrastructural damage has occurred, with thousands of roads and buildings affected.

The worst of the disasters has been reported in the county of San Chong, where the torrential rains have been characterized by meteorologists as a one-in-200-years event.

The extreme weather has led to widespread devastation in rural communities, where residents are struggling to protect livestock and property amid rising waters.

Survivors of the flooding have described harrowing experiences as water levels surged rapidly.

Eyewitness accounts reveal the difficulties faced by those caught in the floods, with reports of individuals trapped in vehicles and others needing assistance to escape from flooded campsites.

Rescuers have employed methods including zip lines and helicopters to reach stranded individuals.

As of the latest updates, 11 people remain unaccounted for, and search efforts are ongoing as rescue workers comb through debris and impacted areas.

The flooding has disrupted the peak summer vacation season in South Korea, as many individuals had sought refuge in mountainous areas to escape the oppressive heat that often exceeds high 30 degrees Celsius.

In Son County, ten fatalities have been confirmed, with four individuals still reported missing after landslides struck the mountainous villages.

Approximately 80% of South Korea is mountainous terrain, raising the risk of landslides during heavy rain events.

The monsoon rains, commonly referred to in Korea as 'summer guests', are observed regularly during the season but have become increasingly unpredictable as global climate patterns evolve.

The continued focus in the affected regions remains on rescue operations, with hopes of locating any missing individuals as communities begin to assess the extent of the damage.

Akihiko Yamamoto, now 73, uncovered a long-buried family secret following a DNA test that revealed he has a half-sister in the United States.

Having grown up in Japan with his Japanese mother, Yamamoto believed for nearly six decades that his American father had abandoned him.

The revelation came as a surprise, as he had suffered bullying during his childhood, with peers referring to him as "gaijin," meaning "foreigner," and telling him to "go back to your country."

Yamamoto's childhood memories were marred by loneliness and confusion as he lacked information about his father, knowing only that he was American.

"I had no way to search for him.

There were no clues, no information, nothing," he explained in an interview.

Over time, his relationship with his mother deteriorated, leading to estrangement for more than 30 years after she remarried and had another child.

On the other side of the Pacific Ocean in California, Sharon Lovell grew up in a nurturing home but witnessed her father, John Vieira, mourn the loss of a son he had left behind in Japan during the 1950s when he was stationed there as a soldier.

"I saw my dad cry so many times.

Most of the time, I knew it was because of that," said Lovell, now 71.

According to her, Vieira had fallen in love with a Japanese woman and they intended to marry; however, he was sent back to the United States before the child was born.

The woman informed him that the child had been put up for adoption and was a daughter.

Vieira searched for the child for years but never succeeded in finding her.

He passed away in 2003, unaware that he had a son, Akihiko Yamamoto.

In 2022, through a sequence of DNA tests on the genealogy platform MyHeritage, the connection was unveiled.

Yamamoto's daughter in Japan and Lovell's cousin in California each submitted their DNA.

When a genetic link was identified between the two, they began exploring their connection, ultimately discovering that Yamamoto is the missing son of John Vieira.

Switzerland has officially become the first country to prohibit routine mammography screenings for breast cancer.

The decision, announced by the Federal Office of Public Health, is rooted in growing evidence that questions the accuracy and effectiveness of conventional mammography.

Data presented to justify the ban highlights that mammograms can result in a high rate of false positives, with estimates suggesting that up to 60% of women who undergo screening may receive incorrect positive results that can lead to unnecessary stress, invasive procedures, and even overtreatment.

Moreover, research has indicated that the radiation exposure linked to mammography, though deemed minimal, poses potential risks that could outweigh benefits, particularly for certain demographics.

The ban follows a series of studies in recent years that have raised questions about the optimal age for women to begin routine screenings, with some suggesting that earlier mammography may lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

In light of these findings, Switzerland's health authorities are advocating for a reassessment of breast cancer screening methodologies, emphasizing the need for alternative, less invasive screening options that could reduce harm while maintaining detection efficacy.

This policy shift is in alignment with a global movement towards re-evaluating traditional cancer screening programs.

Various countries have adopted different approaches based on local health statistics and risks.

In the U.S., for example, new guidelines from the American Cancer Society advocate for personalized assessment rather than standardized annual mammograms for all women starting at age 40.

Opponents of the ban have expressed concerns that discontinuing mammograms could lead to a decline in early breast cancer detection rates.

They argue that while false positives are a concern, the benefits of regular screenings in identifying cancers early, potentially saving lives, should not be overlooked.

Proponents of the ban, however, insist that the focus should shift to more advanced and non-invasive imaging techniques and genetic screenings that promise greater accuracy without the associated risks of mammography.

Andy Byron has resigned as CEO of Astronomer after being seen in an intimate moment with Kristine Cabot, the company's head of human resources, during a Coldplay concert over the weekend.

This incident has prompted discussions about ethics within corporate governance, particularly in the context of the current investor climate that demands high ethical standards from executives.

Professor Asaf Eckstein, a corporate law and securities lecturer at the Hebrew University, commented that it is not surprising given the heightened scrutiny executives face today.

Since the inception of the Me Too movement, numerous similar cases have emerged, including high-profile executives in large, publicly traded companies who have faced repercussions for inappropriate relationships with employees.

Astronomer, a private company that recently raised approximately $74 million, is planning to secure further investments and potentially go public.

The reputation of the company is crucial as it seeks to transition to a publicly traded entity.

Eckstein emphasized the significance of company image, stating that even private companies must be mindful of their public image due to their obligations to a diverse range of stakeholders, including employees and suppliers.

He noted that the conduct of senior executives, particularly when it contradicts the company’s core values, is increasingly untenable.

Legal expert Shira Laht detailed the implications of the situation under Israeli law, where relationships between employees with a power dynamic can raise automatic concerns of sexual harassment.

According to Laht, both Byron and Cabot hold significant positions and shouldn't fall short of expectations regarding their leadership roles within the company.

The law places the burden of proof on the senior employee, which in this case, is Byron.

In the United States, the ramifications of such situations could be even more severe, with potential legal exposure amounting to millions of dollars.

Investors often inquire about any known sexual harassment issues before investing, understanding the potential for significant legal liabilities.

If it is found that Byron failed to disclose such a relationship to investors during fundraising efforts, it could represent a breach of trust and potentially expose the company to legal action.

When raising capital, companies typically make representations and warranties regarding undisclosed liabilities.

If it is later revealed that the company misrepresented its knowledge of potential legal claims, it could face lawsuits for fraudulent misrepresentation.

The fallout from the video footage capturing Byron and Cabot could exacerbate these legal challenges, especially if Laht's claims about harassment are substantiated.

Eckstein advises that companies should adopt a clear and enforceable code of ethics, with diligent oversight from the board of directors regarding compliance with laws governing executive conduct and employee relations.

He stressed that the behavior of senior executives, even in their personal lives, can have profound and immediate implications for the company, including its market stability and relationships with investors.

This incident serves as a reminder of the significant scrutiny placed upon corporate leaders and the potential consequences of their actions in the modern business environment.

A sixty-one-year-old man, Keith McCallister, died after being pulled into an active MRI machine at a diagnostic imaging clinic in Nassau County, New York.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, July seventeenth, while McCallister was assisting his wife, Adrienne Jones, following her knee scan at Nassau Open MRI.

According to local police, McCallister was wearing a large metallic chain around his neck when he entered the MRI room.

The chain was reportedly used for fitness training and weighed approximately nine kilograms.

As he approached the MRI bed to help his wife down, the machine’s powerful magnetic field activated, drawing him toward the scanner.

Witnesses reported that the machine forcefully rotated his body and pulled him into the equipment, causing fatal injuries.

Jones stated that she had asked the technician to call her husband for help and immediately requested emergency assistance when the incident occurred.

Emergency responders transported McCallister to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead the following day.

An investigation into the circumstances of the incident remains ongoing.

MRI machines use strong magnetic fields to generate detailed images of internal organs and tissues.

These fields can attract ferromagnetic materials with significant force, posing serious risks if metallic objects are present in or near the scan room.

Standard MRI protocols prohibit the presence of metallic items, including jewelry, implants, and accessories, in the vicinity of active machines.

Medical professionals at nearby hospitals emphasized the importance of safety compliance, noting that metallic items such as necklaces, body piercings, and medical implants must be disclosed before undergoing or approaching MRI procedures.

According to experts, the strength of the magnetic field is capable of causing trauma, including cervical spine injuries and suffocation, if large metallic objects are pulled into the scanner.

A similar incident occurred in New York in 2001, when a six-year-old boy was killed after an oxygen tank was drawn into an MRI scanner at Westchester Medical Center.

The child’s family later reached a settlement of two point nine million dollars.

MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is a non-invasive procedure that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of internal body structures.

While considered safe when protocols are followed, the presence of ferromagnetic objects can result in serious or fatal accidents.