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IT-Science
KT CEO blasts big firms for ‘free riding’
KT Chief Executive Lee Suk-chae has urged the government and the nation’s leading technology companies LG and Samsung Electronics to pay for using its networks. “Korea needs a new paradigm. The digital revolution has changed everything. Despite heavy data traffic amid rapid rises of data-intensive devices such as tablets…
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Society
Blind dates going instant, shallow
Young adults flock to ‘booking bars’ in search of dateing partners Dozens of young people in their early 20s were standing in line outside a bar on Friday night. Although there was a two to three hour wait for those toward the back to enter the bar in the Hongdae…
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Society
Yonsei to compete with Ivy League
Local universities have adopted ambitious globalization programs, creating more all-English classes and attracting students and professors from abroad. The education ministry has backed such moves under a long-term plan to nurture world-class universities and meet the growing needs of students and parents for a globalized education. Some private colleges, however,…
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Column
Wipe out polio, now
Wild viruses and wildfires have two things in common. If neglected, they can spread out of control. If handled properly, they can be stamped out for good. Today, the flame of polio is near extinction ― but sparks in three countries threaten to ignite a global blaze. Now is the…
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Business
Chaebol under siege
Conglomerates targeted in lame duck presidency As the economy turns from bad to worse with income polarization widening and inflation soaring, large family-controlled business groups, known here as chaebol, have become public enemy No.1. Despite the prolonged global economic downturn, Samsung and other leading conglomerates have earned record overseas profits…
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Politics
Meltdown of Korean diplomacy
What does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade do? Four activists were detained in China but the ministry appeared to be at a loss. Reports, although denied by its spokesman, are that China talked to North Korea while excluding Seoul in taking the four into custody. The foreign ministry…
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Column
Caste system in India to fade away by itself
In 1945, just a year earlier than I was born, English author, George Orwell wrote an allegorical novella called “Animal Farm”. The lines that became most famous and are quoted by many were, “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”. His connotation was in a…
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Central Asia
Informal CIS summit opens in Kremlin
The leaders of 11 former Soviet republics have begun their informal summit in the Kremlin. Last year’s “shirt-sleeves” summit in Moscow on December 20 marked the 20th anniversary of the post-Soviet CIS alliance, a Kremlin spokesman said on Tuesday. Addressing the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the economic and…
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West Asia
Major news in Lebanon on May 16
Top news in <Daily Star>: Mikati eyes way out of spending crisis news@theasian.asia
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West Asia
Major news in Saudi Arabia on May 16
Top news in <Arab News>: Makkah smart city project gathers pace news@theasian.asia
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