Bahraini wins global Korean-language speech, wants to deepen her Korean cultural, linguistic knowledge
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: Zahra Al Safi, the Bahraini student who won a Korean-language speech contest after beating 1,918 competitors from 90 King Sejong Institutes worldwide, has expressed immense delight with the achievement and pledged to further her studies in the Korean language. Zahra was particularly grateful to the Korean embassy in Bahrain and Ambassador […]
Bahrain: Agreement with Israel aims to boost chances for peace in Middle East
By Habib Toumi BAHRAIN: Since the signing of the declaration to support peace by Bahrain and Israel almost one month ago, contacts between officials from the two countries have been intensifying amid promises to build on the agreement to move closer to peace, security and cooperation across the region. For Bahrain, the agreement “emanates from […]
Reunification is the human right of every Korean
By Habib Toumi BAHRAIN: Looking at the invitation I received from the German Ambassador to Bahrain Kai Boeckmann to attend on October 3 a virtual celebration of the German Unity Day, I could not help wondering if I will ever receive an invitation from the Korean embassy in Bahrain to a Korean Reunification Day or […]
Chuseok festival strengthens AJA bonds: A celebration of community, despite distances
By Habib Toumi Members of the Asia Journalists Association (AJA) have once more demonstrated that long distances and time difference could not dampen their enthusiasm to celebrate as a special family Chuseok. Led by Sang-ki Lee, AJA founder and publisher of the association multi-lingual magazine and website, the members coming from various religious backgrounds, shared […]
Kuwait emir passes away at 91
By Habib Toumi KUWAIT: The Emir of Kuwait Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah has passed away, the Kuwaiti Emir Diwan (Court) has announced. “With great sadness and sorrow, the Emiri Diwan mourns the passing of His Highness, the late Emir of Kuwait Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah,” a statement […]
South Korea’s Suwon, a special fusion of old and new, puts people at center of all policies
By Habib Toumi SUWON: Showcasing an astonishing and harmonious fusion of old and new, Suwon rightly claims special fame as a historical landmark and the biggest city in the province of Gyeonggi. The centrally-located city where UNESCO World Heritage-listed treasures and royal relics co-exist with a modern skyline asserts itself as one of its kind […]
Humane approach needed as first step to peace on Korean Peninsula
By Habib Toumi BAHRAIN: One of the most emotional sights that has struck me throughout my career in journalism that has taken me to numerous countries was the desperate messages and worn pictures left by Koreans to their northern brethren at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the world’s most fortified border keeping Korean families apart for seven […]
Global responses to COVID-19: From optimistic uplifting to pessimistic grieving
By Habib Toumi BAHRAIN: When COVID-19 struck mercilessly, the world failed to respond promptly and decisively, except for a few countries. The lack of preparedness compounded by stubbornness to view COVID-19 as a deadly virus that would not go away quickly were among the reasons that led to catastrophic results across the globe. In […]
AJA lauds WJC 2020 for opportunities to discuss global issues
By Habib Toumi SEOUL: Asian Journalists Association (AJA) members have heaped praise on the Journalists Association of Korea (JAK) for the success of the World Journalists Conference 2020 (WJC 2020) despite the heavy travel restrictions imposed by the coronavirus (COVID-19). The three-day conference was held in the Korean capital Seoul and was attended by several […]
Journalists from 53 countries to discuss future of journalism amid viral fake news
By Habib Toumi SEOUL: The rapid spread of fake news amid a deluge of misinformation, disinformation and mal-information during the COVID-19 pandemic will be addressed by international journalists at a three-day conference next week in the Korean capital Seoul. The World Journalists Conference 2020, an annual media event organized by the Journalists Association of Korea […]