President Zhaparov defends wider use of Kyrgyz language at home
President Sadyr Zhaparov (Kabar) BISHKEK: Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Zhaparov has defended his country’s plans to “fully develop the Kyrgyz language,” turning down criticism by Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. On July 17, Zhaparov signed the constitutional law that establishes the legal framework for the use of the Kyrgyz language and the government and private areas […]
Marcos stresses Philippines’ commitment to addressing climate change effects
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has used his annual State of the Union speech to emphasize his administration’s commitment to climate change as an important criterion in the country’s integral national policies, planning, and decision-making. “The building blocks of progressive, livable and sustainable communities will never be complete without appropriate and responsible action to […]
Uzbekistan aims to deepen relations with UN, countries of СА region, CIS, SCO
By Kuban Abdymen TASHKENT: Uzbekistan intends to take relations with the UN, the CIS and the SCO to a new level, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said in a speech during his inauguration in Tashkent, Sputnik reports. The inauguration ceremony of Mirziyoyev took place at a joint meeting of the chambers of the Uzbek parliament, at which […]
NATO deepens partnership with Korea, Japan; stresses strategic significance of Middle East
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg meets with Republic of Korea president Suk Yeol Yoon By Habib Toumi VILNIUS: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has expanded its engagement with South Korea and Japan – two key Asian countries- by expanding cooperation in areas of global concern and stressed that the Middle East is a region […]
Bahrain abolishes rape-marriage law
MANAMA: Bahrain has abolished a law that allowed rape charges to be dropped if the perpetrator married his victim. Article 353 of the 1976 Penal Code permitted rapists to go unpunished as long as they married their victims. However, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has repealed the article following the approval of the bicameral […]
Opening of ‘Pocheon Korean Language Institute tailored to companies’
By Sang-ki Lee, Former Asia Journalists Association President POCHEON: The opening ceremony of the ‘Korean Language Institute tailored to companies’ will be held on the 24th (Sat) at 3:00 pm at the Pocheon Cultural Center in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do. KimYoo-soon, principal of Miracle OK Language School, said, “Like the vitality of a small mustard seed creates […]
Kazakhstan: 14 people killed, 60,000 hecatres destroyed in wildfire; Day of National Mourning declared
ASTANA: Kazakhstan has declared June 12 a Day of National Mourning after 14 forestery workers died in the devastating wildfire in the Semei Ormany Nature Reserve. On Sunday, Kazakhstan President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev visited the area affected by the forest fire that broke out in a nature reserve in the region of Abai, in the […]
World’s first printed book with metallic letters displayed in Serbia
By Dr. Ana Stjelja BELGRADE: The world’s first printed book with metallic letters was displayed in Adligat thanks to the embassy of South Korea. In 1374, the Buddhist monk Baegun compiled the book “Gikji Simce Yodjol” (Anthology of Zen Teachings of Great Buddhist Monks) in South Korea to present the main teachings of Buddhism. This […]
No future for newspaper columns, opinions?
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: Sipping an orange juice with friends as the world celebrated World Press Freedom Day, I was confronted with a “negative” attitude that underestimates writing in the realm of nonfiction. “Writing editorials and columns is no longer relevant,” some of them said during our conversation. Their logic is that no columnist should expect […]
Empowering media to embrace challenges, opportunities holds key to brighter future
By Habib Toumi DUBAI: Speaking softly, but firmly and convincingly, Abdullah Al Shehi stressed the significance of grooming young journalists to embrace the challenges and opportunities lying ahead as the media world moves into the future. The head of the Dubai Bureau of the Emirate News Agency (WAM) explained that in a rapidly-changing world fraught with […]