Everything Bagel Seasoning Was Banned in South Korea

Lens Asia

15 July, 2024 01:10 PM

The Trader Joe’s website promotes the product as “the only Everything Seasoning you’ll ever need.”Credit...Trader Joe's

The seasoning is sold by Trader Joe’s, a brand whose popularity has skyrocketed in the region in recent.

The seasoning garnishes everything from bagels and scrambled eggs to fried chicken in many countries. But in South Korea, it tops something else: a list of unexpected goods travelers are banned from bringing into the country.

Trader Joe’s savory Everything but The Bagel seasoning mix has a cult following in the United States, but many who have tried to bring the topping into South Korea have had the garlic, onion and poppy seed blend — often described as “everything seasoning” — confiscated by authorities, local news reports said.

Food containing poppy seeds, “including popular bagel seasoning blends,” is considered contraband in South Korea, according to the U.S. Embassy, making the coveted topping a forbidden treat.

The Trader Joe’s seasoning has been banned in South Korea since 2022, but the brand’s popularity in the region has skyrocketed, with influencers in Japan sporting Trader Joe’s canvas tote bags as a fashion statement.

As more travelers have tried to bring the popular seasoning mix into South Korea, local news and social media sites have reported in recent weeks on an increase in confiscations at airports.

Poppy seeds are not opiates but may be contaminated by the plant’s fluid, which contains opiates, when they are harvested. The amount of contamination can vary, and thus the amount of opiates that end up on poppy seeds in bagels, cakes or seasonings is hard to pinpoint, researchers say.

In South Korea, poppy seeds are banned because they are considered a narcotic.

“You can fail a drug test by consuming poppy seed products,” said Michelle Carlin, an assistant professor of toxicology and forensic chemistry at Rutgers University who has studied poppy seeds. “It obviously depends on the amount of poppy seeds present, but there is much variation found in the opiate compounds in the poppy seeds.”

Growing location, sunlight and how hydrated the poppy plants are can affect the amount of opiate contamination on poppy seeds, Ms. Carlin added. Her research found that, though washing the poppy seeds can remove contamination, it is very difficult to tell if seeds were washed before being put in food products.

Still, the chance of a seasoning mix having enough opiates in it to result in a positive drug test is relatively low, Ms. Carlin said. “With those seasonings, people are not using a lot. And the seasonings have other things like garlic or salt,” she said.

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Iran Calls US Sanctions Plan a ‘Farce’

Lens Asia

28 August, 2026 12:18 AM

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil.

Tehran has described the United States’ plan to economically isolate Iran as a ‘farce’. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said many of the sanctions announced by Washington are already in effect.

In a post on X on Thursday (August 27), Baghaei said the US policy has no practical meaning, as Washington is announcing sanctions that are already in place.

Baghaei also pointed to Bahrain’s inclusion in the US initiative. He said Iran has no significant economic transactions with Bahrain. Despite this, he added, the United States is attempting to portray its economic pressure campaign as more substantial by highlighting Bahrain.

Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he had discussed maintaining financial pressure on Iran with Bahrain’s Finance Minister Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.

Source: Al Jazeera.

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Severe Landslide Hits Nepal-China Border, 20 Bodies Recovered

Lens Asia

26 August, 2026 10:20 PM

Collected photo

A massive landslide has struck the Gyirong area along the Nepal-China border. At least 20 bodies have been recovered so far, while around 400 people remain missing, including more than 100 Indian tourists.

CCTV footage of the incident shows a huge amount of soil and debris suddenly rushing down from the mountain. Within moments, the road and surrounding areas were buried. Several people were also seen running to safety as the landslide swept through the area.

Following the incident, authorities in Nepal’s Rasuwa district declared it a major disaster. Local officials fear that the death toll may rise further.

Rescue operations are ongoing. Foreign tourists are also reportedly among those missing, and the authorities are working to locate and rescue them.

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20 Palestinians’ Bodies Recovered from Gaza Rubble

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26 August, 2026 10:19 PM

Photo: Al Jazeera

The bodies of 20 Palestinians have been recovered from the rubble of a destroyed building in Gaza’s Zeitoun area. Members of the civil defence teams recovered the bodies, according to Palestine’s official news agency WAFA. The report was also published by Anadolu Agency.

According to WAFA, the 20 people were killed in Israeli strikes during the war. Civil defence teams are continuing operations to recover the bodies of people believed to have been trapped beneath buildings destroyed in the attacks.

Many people remain missing in Gaza following the Israeli strikes. Some are believed to be trapped under the rubble. Rescue teams are therefore continuing to clear debris in search of those still missing.

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Houthis Claim Attack on Saudi Oil Tanker in Red Sea

Lens Asia

25 August, 2026 12:39 PM

Collected photo.

Yemen’s Houthi rebel group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea. The group said the vessel, named Amjan, was targeted near the coast of Yanbu, a Saudi port city.

The Yemen-based group announced the attack in a statement on Monday (August 24), claiming that a ballistic missile was fired at the vessel, which is owned by Bahri, Saudi Arabia’s national shipping company.

The attack raised concerns over the vessel’s safety. However, Bahri said all crew members aboard the Amjan were safe and that no casualties had been reported. The company said it was maintaining regular communication with the vessel and monitoring the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities.

Bahri said the safety of its crew, protection of the marine environment and safe management of the vessel remain its highest priorities.

According to the Houthi military spokesperson, the attack specifically targeted the Saudi-owned vessel near the coast of Yanbu. The incident is the latest in a series of attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis against Saudi interests.

Houthi activity has increased recently in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways. Earlier, reports emerged of an attack on a port in Yemen that killed seven people, as well as an attack on a Saudi oil refinery.

In another incident, a cargo ship was attacked twice in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, leaving at least six people dead and 10 others injured.

The attacks have raised concerns that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could widen further. With tensions between the United States and Iran also escalating, concerns have grown over the security of the Red Sea and other strategically important maritime routes.

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Israeli Military Operations in the Middle East to Continue

Lens Asia

3 July, 2026 12:21 AM

Netanyahu. Photo: CNN

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the country's military operations across the Middle East are unlikely to end anytime soon, stressing that Israel will continue its campaign for as long as necessary to ensure national security.

Speaking in a lengthy interview with Israel's Channel 14 on Tuesday (June 30), Netanyahu said Israeli forces have made significant gains against Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as in military operations across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. He claimed Israel is now in a stronger strategic position than at any previous time.

Referring to Iran, Netanyahu argued that the recent conflict had broken what he described as a long-standing "wall of fear," claiming Israel had taken actions that had not been pursued for decades.

When asked about his government's pledge to achieve "total victory" following Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack, Netanyahu said the effort to guarantee Israel's security is an ongoing mission with no fixed endpoint.

Addressing the future of Gaza and the possible relocation of Palestinians, he said the issue concerns what he described as "voluntary relocation." He declined to provide further details, adding that he prefers actions over statements.

Netanyahu also acknowledged that Israel is facing growing international pressure on multiple fronts but said his government would continue to pursue its strategy despite the challenges.

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Positive Progress in Indirect U.S.-Iran Talks: Qatar

Lens Asia

3 July, 2026 12:19 AM

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Qatar has announced that indirect talks between the United States and Iran, held in Doha, have made positive progress. Both sides have also agreed to continue the negotiations.

In a post on X, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said separate meetings were held with U.S. and Iranian representatives in Doha through mediation by Qatar and Pakistan. He noted that the discussions achieved progress on several key issues.

According to Al-Ansari, the latest round of talks builds on the momentum of previous high-level meetings held in Switzerland. He added that the date for the next round of negotiations will be determined after the funeral and burial ceremonies of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, are concluded.

Qatar said diplomatic efforts would continue to resolve the remaining outstanding issues through dialogue, with both parties expressing willingness to keep the negotiation process moving forward.

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities announced that official state ceremonies marking the funeral and burial of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will take place across Iran and Iraq from July 4 to July 9.

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Pakistan Supreme Court Returns Imran Khan's Appeal

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30 June, 2026 11:47 PM

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Pakistan's Supreme Court registry has returned an appeal filed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, challenging an order related to the suspension of their sentences in the £190 million corruption case.

The appeal was filed against a ruling by the Islamabad High Court regarding their request to suspend the sentences.

According to the Supreme Court registry, the appropriate forum for such legal relief is the Federal Constitutional Court, not the Supreme Court. As a result, the appeal was returned.

However, Imran Khan's lawyer, Salman Safdar, challenged the decision, arguing that under Article 185(3) of Pakistan's Constitution, the appeal is maintainable before the Supreme Court.

Earlier, the Islamabad High Court ruled that there was no need to hear the sentence suspension request separately because a date had already been set for the hearing of the main appeal.

In the appeal, Imran Khan said he has been suffering from health problems while in prison and that his prolonged detention has caused both physical and mental hardship. He also alleged that the legal proceedings had been deliberately delayed.

Source: The Express Tribune.

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Iran to Honor Deal if U.S. Does: Masoud Pezeshkian

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30 June, 2026 11:43 PM

Masoud Pezeshkian. Photo: CNN

Iran will fulfill its commitments if the United States fully complies with the terms of their agreement, President Masoud Pezeshkian said, while warning that Tehran is prepared to respond to any form of pressure or threats.

In a post on X on Monday (June 29), Pezeshkian said that the success of any agreement depends on both sides honoring their commitments. He stressed that a deal can only be effective when all parties fulfill their respective obligations.

He added that if the United States adheres to the agreed terms, Iran will remain committed to implementing its own obligations.

Although he did not mention any U.S. leader by name, Pezeshkian said Iran would maintain a rational and dignified stance in the face of what he described as baseless accusations or unjustified threats from Washington. He also warned that Tehran would not hesitate to take firm and uncompromising action if its national interests or security were at risk.

His remarks come at a time when tensions between the United States and Iran have not been fully resolved despite ongoing diplomatic contacts and discussions over a possible understanding. Mutual distrust between the two sides remains a major obstacle.

Observers say Pezeshkian's comments signal Iran's willingness to pursue dialogue while reaffirming its determination to defend its national security and sovereignty.

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Lebanon Announces Deployment of Troops Along Israeli Border

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30 June, 2026 11:42 PM

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Lebanon will deploy its armed forces up to the Israeli border as part of efforts to strengthen state control across the entire country, President Joseph Aoun announced. He outlined the plan during a meeting with Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. military forces in the Middle East.

The meeting focused on implementing the recently signed U.S.-mediated peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon, as well as the security situation along the border.

During the same visit, Admiral Cooper also met with Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal.

In a statement, the Lebanese Armed Forces said the discussions covered both Lebanon's domestic security situation and broader developments across the Middle East.

Under the U.S.-brokered agreement, the Lebanese Army is responsible for disarming Hezbollah. However, Israel has maintained a firm stance on the issue.

Israeli officials said their forces stationed in southern Lebanon will remain in place for the time being. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel has no intention of occupying Lebanese territory, but its troops will not withdraw until Hezbollah has been fully disarmed.

The visit by the head of U.S. Central Command is being viewed as significant, coming shortly after the Israel-Lebanon peace agreement was signed. On the same day, Israel reiterated that its forces would continue their deployment in southern Lebanon.

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