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East Asia
N.K. leader says negotiations with U.S. are first step to recognition as nuclear power: report
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un told military leaders last year that talks with the United States are the “first step” to solidifying Pyongyang’s status as a nuclear power, a news report said Monday. Kim made the remarks in a meeting with key military commanders, Voice of America reported, citing a…
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Culture
Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite’ wins Sydney Film Festival top prize
South Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” has grabbed the Sydney Film Prize, the main award of the 2019 Sydney Film Festival (SFF), according to the festival’s homepage Monday. The awarding of the AUD60,000 (US$41,288) cash prize, which took place during the festival’s closing ceremony at the State Theatre in Sydney…
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East Asia
Economic uncertainty prompts rush to safe assets
Uncertainties stemming from the escalating U.S.-China trade dispute and a slowdown in Asia’s fourth-largest economy are changing the way investors here behave, with many apparently rushing to buy what they believe to be safer assets, such as bonds, gold and houses, data showed Monday. Bond prices have skyrocketed to multi-year…
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Culture
Cartoon, animated film festival to kick off in Seoul next month
An international cartoon and animation festival will open in Seoul next month, showcasing the changing environment and paradigms of the industry, the event’s organizer said Monday. The 23rd Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival (SICAF) will start July 17 for a five-day run at the Convention and Exhibition Center (COEX)…
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People
Dorsaf makes history as first Arab woman referee in top division
Tunis: Dorsaf Ganoiati has made history by becoming the first woman to officiate a top-division football match in Tunisia and the Arab world Dorsaf, a physical education teacher who had played football and became a referee in 2012, refereed the match between Champion Esperance Sportive of Tunis and Athletic Club…
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East Asia
U.N. special rapporteur to visit Seoul for research on N.K. human rights
The U.N. special rapporteur on North Korea’s human rights situation will visit South Korea next week to gather information on the North’s human rights issues, Seoul’s foreign ministry said Friday. During the five-day stay that starts Monday, Tomas Ojea Quintana is expected to hold a series of talks with ministry…
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East Asia
Builders lure homeseekers with built-in air purifiers amid fine dust woes
Various and viable tools are available for citizens here to respond to the ever-growing air pollution, and newlyweds Park Young-eun and Yeo Ryong-koo are also on the lookout for solutions to keep their home safe from fine dust. Recently, the couple who are considering buying a new apartment in Incheon,…
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East Asia
Moon to address Swedish parliament on denuclearization, peace
South Korean President Moon Jae-in will deliver another major speech on the Korea peace process Friday on a visit to Stockholm, his office said. In the Parliament House address with the theme of “The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and trust for peace,” Moon plans to emphasize the need for…
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East Asia
10 Afghan bikers cycle their way to Istanbul
Cyclists emphasize significance of Lapis Lazuli corridor Ten Afghan bikers have pedaled 4,118-kilometers from Afghanistan to Turkey to emphasize the economic and cultural relations between countries in the region. The Turkish-Afghan Friendship Cycling Tour began in Afghanistan’s Harat province and ended at the World Peace Park in the Beşiktaş district…
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East Asia
Bahrain bans use of plastic bags starting July
Bahrain will ban the use of plastic bags in July, a senior environment official has said. Mohammed Mubarak Bin Daina, the chief executive of the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), said the ban would regulate and phase out the use of plastic bags. “The first phase will focus on single-use…
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