1. South Korean Defense Minister, Lee Jong-sup, and the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, agreed to deploy more nuclear-capable strategic assets in and around the Korean Peninsula against North Korea’s nuclear threats. This agreement was reached at their annual Security Consultative Meeting held at the Pentagon on Thursday.
2. On Thursday, President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered the establishment of a "one-stop" support center, which will be run by the Prime Minister’s Office, for the families of victims of the Itaewon disaster. This center will be set to help them receive necessary assistance after the national mourning period ends Saturday.
3. The Bank of England raised its key interest rate by 75 basis points to 3%, marking the biggest single rate hike since 1989. The latest move by the central bank came soon after the U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday delivered a giant-step of 75 basis points.
