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Politics
U.S. appoints first woman ambassador to Bahrain since 1971
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: The United States has appointed its first woman ambassador to Bahrain, breaking with a tradition that lasted since the diplomatic agreement between the two countries in 1971 and has included 19 male ambassadors. Bahrain in 2008 appointed a woman, Houda Ezra Nonoo, as its Ambassador to…
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Politics
Obituary: Uzbek Ambassador Vitali Fen – “I respect your sense of responsibility and passion for putting your all into it until the very end”
By Choi Young-ha, Former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Uzbekistan SEOUL: Vitali! He is a descendant of Pyeon Galsong (片碣頌) of the Zhejiang Pyeon clan (浙江片氏), who spent 25 years, one-third of his 77-year life, in Seoul. He was a career diplomat who connected Korea and Uzbekistan, a historical…
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Politics
In Kyrgyzstan, all defendants in Kempir-Abad case acquitted
By Kuban Andymen BISHKEK: A court in Kyrgyzstan has acquitted the defendants in the so-called “Kempir-Abad case”. In the fall of 2022, the defendants were taken into custody after expressing disagreement with the transfer to Uzbekistan of Kempir-Abad reservoir lands, located on the border between the two countries in the…
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Culture
The Two Faces of the Taliban: The Brake: The Shadow of the People
The Taliban, an Islamic extremist armed group, has ruled Afghanistan (hereinafter referred to as Afghanistan) twice (1996-2001 and 2021-present). The Taliban’s first term in power in Afghanistan was marred by tyranny that suppressed all freedoms. The Taliban, who are entering their second term in power in 2021, say they are…
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Culture
The Two Faces of the Taliban: Two countries still far away, Korea and Afghanistan
The Taliban, an Islamic extremist armed group, has ruled Afghanistan twice (1996-2001 and 2021-present). The Taliban’s first term in power in Afghanistan was marred by tyranny that suppressed all freedoms. The Taliban, who are entering their second term in power in 2021, say they are different from before, but the…
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Politics
On Memorial Day, South Korea honors its fallen heroes
By Habib Toumi Manama: On Thursday June 6, 2024, I will make sure that I will say a prayer for the Korean soldiers who died defending or in the service of their country. It is always painful for anyone to lose loved ones and for a nation to lose men and…
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Politics
The Two Faces of the Taliban: “We will watch”. “How well will we lead Afghanistan?”
By Lee Shin-seok* KABUL: The Taliban, an Islamic extremist armed group, has ruled Afghanistan (hereinafter referred to as Afghanistan) twice (1996-2001 and 2021-present). The Taliban’s first term in power in Afghanistan was marred by tyranny that suppressed all freedoms. The Taliban, who are entering their second term in power in 2021,…
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Culture
The Poetic Gardens of Ko Un
By Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, President, Asia Journalists Association SEOUL: In an exceptional meeting, I had the chance to receive the great Anthology dedicated to the iconic Korean poet Ko Un celebrating his 90th birthday. The front book cover of the Anthology with the title ‘He is Beyond Our Longing’, which is…
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Politics
Gyeongbokgung Palace: A sublime journey to 14th century Korea
By Dr Rohel Aijaz SEOUL: The month of May had just begun. The day was hotter than usual, yet I was excited for what lay ahead. It was my second day in Seoul and I had decided to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace. After having a Kimchi pancake for breakfast at a…
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Business
Ansan tops with natural beauty, vibrant living, futuristic education
Habib Toumi ANSAN: The stylish picture shows high-rise white buildings near lush multi-colored parks and wide, well-manicured highways with the bold message “Ansan: The best land to live under the sky.” The description is attributed to King Jeongjo (1752-1800), the 22nd King of Joseon, as he was impressed by the…
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