An Alabama man was executed by nitrogen gas for his involvement in a 1993 murder linked to a drug debt, while China announced a new holiday asserting its claims over Taiwan. In other news, Intel's stock surged following positive financial results, and President Trump approved disaster aid for several states while denying requests from others.

Execution in Alabama

Anthony Boyd, 54, was executed on Thursday at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama. Convicted for his role in the murder of Gregory Huguley, Boyd was sentenced to death for helping to burn Huguley alive over a $200 drug debt. In his final words, Boyd maintained his innocence, stating, "I didn’t kill anybody. I didn’t participate in killing anybody," and criticized the justice system. This execution marked Alabama's continued use of nitrogen gas, a method it adopted last year, which Boyd's execution appeared to take longer than previous instances.

China's Claims Over Taiwan

On Friday, China announced the establishment of a new holiday, the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration, to be observed on October 25. This date marks the transfer of Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China in 1945. Shen Chunyao, director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress, stated that this holiday aims to reinforce the notion that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan, as the self-ruled island continues to assert its independence.

Intel's Financial Turnaround

Intel's shares rose nearly 9 percent in premarket trading on Friday after the company reported quarterly profits that exceeded expectations. CEO Lip-Bu Tan's cost-cutting measures and strategic investments from companies like Nvidia and SoftBank have contributed to the chipmaker's recovery. Following a challenging year in 2024, Intel is focusing on operational discipline to regain investor confidence. The stock has rebounded significantly, outperforming competitors in the AI chip sector.

Disaster Aid Decisions by Trump

President Donald Trump approved disaster declarations for Alaska, Nebraska, North Dakota, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, while denying requests from Vermont, Illinois, and Maryland. The disaster declarations enable the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide financial assistance for public infrastructure repairs and survivor support. Trump's decisions have drawn criticism for their partisan nature, as he has suggested a desire to phase out FEMA and shift more responsibility to states for disaster response.

Wrap-up

The execution of Anthony Boyd in Alabama highlights ongoing debates surrounding the death penalty and justice system integrity. China's new holiday on Taiwan underscores escalating geopolitical tensions in the region. Meanwhile, Intel's stock performance reflects a potential recovery for the tech giant, and President Trump's disaster aid decisions reveal a complex political landscape in U.S. disaster management.

Sources: feed.koreatimes.co.kr

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team