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Culture
Even away from music scene for break, BTS makes buzz
Seoul: Off to its first-ever official break in its sensational seven-year career, K-pop super band BTS is away from the public eye, but the presence of its members’ surprise internet feeds and release of a special photo album continues to make the world music scene abuzz with the beloved…
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Business
South Korea unveils record high budget for 2020
Sejong: South Korea on Thursday proposed a record 513.5 trillion-won ($423.7 billion) budget for 2020 to boost its slowing economy beset by a deepening U.S.-China trade row and more recently its own with Japan. The expansionary budget – endorsed by the Cabinet – represents a 9.3 percent hike from 2019…
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Culture
In Sri Lanka, prison turned into a cultural center
Kandy: Once a maximum-security prison over 13 acres making it the second largest in Sri Lanka, Bogambara Prison is being transformed into the Bogambara Cultural Park featuring an open air theater, studio for traditional arts and crafts, a tourist information center and multiple recreational areas. Phase I of the…
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Politics
Vice FM asks U.S. to refrain from public messaging against Seoul’s GSOMIA decision
Seoul: South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Sei-young on Wednesday asked the United States to refrain from public messaging against Seoul’s recent decision to terminate a military information-sharing pact with Japan, a source here said. Cho met with U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris to make the request as Washington…
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Society
In Leyte, Philippines, bikes used to boost school attendance
Tacloban City: Needy students from three high schools in the Philippines have been offered bikes to motivate them to cover the distance from their remote homes to classes. The 115 bikes were donated in Leyte, the archipelago’s seventh largest island, under a project that aims to address school dropout,…
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Business
Seoul to spend $4.1 billion for parts, materials industries amid trade row with Japan
Seoul: South Korea plans to inject more than 5 trillion won ($4.1 billion) into its support of the local parts and material industries by 2022 in a bid to tackle Japan’s export curbs against the South, cut dependence on Japanese imports and boost localization, the industry ministry said Wednesday.…
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U.S. offers to help resolve Seoul-Tokyo row after ‘whitelist’ removal
Washington: The United States will do what it can to help South Korea and Japan resolve their differences, the U.S. State Department said Tuesday in response to Tokyo’s latest trade restrictions against Seoul. Japan decided early this month to remove South Korea from its “whitelist” of trusted trading partners,…
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Society
Kyrgyzstan uses funds from fight against corruption to expand schools, build kindergartens
Bishkek: Some of the funds raised from the fight against corruption are being used to expand schools, accommodate more students and build kindergartens in several areas in Kyrgyzstan. “Due to internal migration, schools in Bishkek, Chui and Osh Oblasts are overloaded. That’s why we decided to direct the funds of…
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Business
Indonesia not a waste disposal site for developed countries: Minister
Bogor: Indonesia should not turn into a waste disposal site for developed countries, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya has said. “It does not mean that we reject imports of paper and plastic scrap. The problem is that these imports were contaminated by illegal waste, such as used diapers,…
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Culture
South Korea’s BTS pick up two trophies at annual MTV music awards
Seoul: Proving its massive success on the American pop scene once again, K-pop boy band BTS has picked up two trophies at the annual MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) held in New Jersey, USA. The septet won in two categories – best group and K-pop – out of the…
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