In the news today: Adoption fraud separated generations of South Korean children from their families, an AP investigation finds; a new poll shows voters view Harris slightly more favorably than they did in July; and the US Navy is taking lessons from its combat in the Red Sea and Ukraine’s efforts in the Black Sea. Also, NASA's “Hidden Figures” are awarded Congress’ highest honor. |
A baby photo of Robyn Joy Park, who was adopted from South Korea as an infant and whose identity was switched, is held next to her newborn daughter, Rae. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Rampant adoption fraud separated generations of South Korean children from their families, AP finds
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South Korea’s government, Western countries and adoption agencies worked in tandem to supply some 200,000 Korean children to parents overseas, despite years of evidence they were being procured through questionable or downright unscrupulous means, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found. The investigation was based on interviews with more than 80 adoptees in the U.S., Australia and six European countries, along with parents, agency employees, humanitarian workers and government officials. It drew on more than 100 information requests and thousands of pages of documents — including many never publicly seen before. Read more.
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Those children grew up and searched for their roots — and some realized they are not who they were told. Their stories have sparked a reckoning that is rocking the international adoption industry.
In dozens of cases AP examined, it found: Children were kidnapped off the streets. Parents claim they were told their newborns were dead or very sick, only to have them shipped away. Documents were fabricated, leading adoptees to anguished reunions with supposed parents — only to discover they were not related at all.
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Government officials declined to answer questions about the past, saying it will let a fact-finding commission finish its work. But in a written statement, the Health Ministry acknowledged that skyrocketing adoptions in the 1970s-80s were possibly driven by an intent to reduce welfare spending.
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Voters view Harris more favorably as she settles into role atop Democratic ticket: AP-NORC poll
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Voters view Harris slightly more favorably than they did in July, just after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Read more. |
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According to the survey, about half of voters have a somewhat or very positive view of Harris, and 44% have a somewhat or very negative view. That’s a small shift since late July, when views of Harris were slightly more unfavorable than favorable.
Former President Donald Trump’s favorability ratings remained steady. The poll was conducted September 12-16. The margin of sampling error for registered voters is plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
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Lessons from Red Sea and Black Sea help prep Navy for possible conflict with China
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The U.S. Navy is taking lessons from its combat in the Red Sea over the past year and what Ukraine has done to hold off the Russians in the Black Sea to help U.S. military leaders prepare the service for a potential future conflict with China. Read more. |
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From drones and unmanned surface vessels to the more advanced operation of shipboard guns, the Navy is expanding its combat skills and broadening training. It is also working to overcome recruiting struggles.
The new plan includes what Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations, considers seven priority goals ranging from removing delays in ship depot maintenance to improving Navy infrastructure. The announcement of the goals comes as U.S. leaders are treading a fine line, pledging a commitment to the defense of Taiwan while also working to keep communication open with Beijing to deter greater conflict.
- An important element in any Asia-Pacific conflict will be the need to control the seas. Franchetti said the U.S. can learn from how the Ukrainians have used drones, airstrikes and long-range unmanned vessels to limit Russian ship activity in the western Black Sea and keep access open to critical ports. The Navy’s monthslong battle with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen has provided other lessons.
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A recipe for souvlaki-inspired pork skewers. (Milk Street via AP)
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A garlicky yogurt marinade boosts souvlaki-inspired pork skewers
In Greece, skewers of garlicky grilled meat called souvlaki are sold on street corners, in restaurants and at the beach, but you can also make these at home using the broiler in place of the grill, and incorporating sweet-tart tomatoes, which blister and char in the oven. |
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Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Sarah
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