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Politics
North Korea’s official newspaper warns of immediate, powerful strike against threats
Seoul: North Korea’s official newspaper said Friday that any attempt to infringe upon the communist state’s dignity and survival should be met by an “immediate and powerful” strike, calling for all-out efforts to build up its national defense capability. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un threatened at a key party meeting…
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World
Istanbul Airport bans ‘meet and greet’ signs
Istanbul: Istanbul Airport has banned welcoming arrival passengers with pickup signs, saying the decision taken by the security commission aimed to avoid “backstreet agentship.” “The most important duty in the transfer of tourists belongs to the airports and Istanbul Airport needs to be built in a more modern and guest-oriented…
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Politics
Bahrain to name GCC chief as its Foreign Minister
By Habib Toumi Manama: Abdul Lateef Rashid Al Zayani, the current secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will become Bahrain’s foreign ministry when his term ends on March 31. Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa today told Al Zayani that King Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa is…
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Politics
North Korea defectors sense job opportunities in coffee
Seoul: Cho Kyung-ja (alias), a 33-year-old North Korean defector, is busy operating an espresso machine, preparing four cappuccinos, grinding, temping, frothing and sometimes wiping away beans that scatter here and there. As she lays the four cups down on a table, she shyly smiles as she says, “Excuse me. Here…
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Politics
North Korea passes ball into U.S. court, leaves room for both dialogue, provocation: experts
Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appears to have passed the ball into the United States’ court with a New Year’s message that warned of “shocking actual action” and a “new strategic weapon” but still stopped short of abandoning negotiations altogether, experts said. Convening a four-day ruling party session through…
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East Asia
As we bid 2019 adieu, thoughts about the year that was
By Habib Toumi Manama: Any year is a good year to be a journalist. Especially when you are privileged to have an extensive network of fellow journalist friends from various countries. We at the Asia Journalists Association (AJA) are among these lucky journalists. We come from countries that are vastly…
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Culture
Gulf countries welcome 2020 with extravagance and color
By Habib Toumi Dubai: Gulf countries welcomed the New Year with extravagant light and firework displays and spectacular shows that lit up the skies and brought joy to millions of locals and expatriates. In the United Arab Emirates, 28 locations around the famed city of Dubai came alive with fireworks…
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Society
Koreans greet new year with bell-ringing ceremonies nationwide
Seoul: South Korea welcomed the new year with traditional bell-ringing ceremonies in Seoul and other cities nationwide at midnight Tuesday. The most attention-grabbing bell-ringing ceremony took place at Bosingak Belfry in Jongno, central Seoul, as several prominent celebrities rang the bell 33 times amid cheers from tens of thousands of…
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South Asia
Pakistan launches healthcare program for transgender community
By Nasir Aija AsiaN Representative Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan has launched a healthcare program for the transgender community of Pakistan, stressing on the need to correct the toxic views we hold about trans people. Addressing a ceremony here in the federal capital, the prime minister said: “We will take…
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Society
Social media bring joy to orphan couple in Egypt, destitute patient in Malaysia
By Habib Toumi Manama: Facebook and social media have helped an orphan couple in Egypt celebrate their wedding in great style and amid thousands of guests and a patient in Malaysia undergo a surgery for which he had no money. In Tanta, a large city about 100 kilometers north of…
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