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Politics
Seoul mulls providing financial aid to separated families for North Korea visit
SEOUL: South Korea is considering providing financial support for families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War to visit North Korea, Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul said Saturday. Kim’s remarks are in line with the government’s broader push to allow South Koreans to make individual trips to the North as a way…
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Politics
Singapore polls may see a wild card at play
By Ivan Lim Former AJA President Contributor to AsiaN Singapore: The unbroken record of Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) of winning every general election since 1959 gives it a proud bounce ahead of fresh polls. The party could be buoyed once again by this factor as the nation…
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Politics
Itaewon in the doldrums after U.S. base withdrawal and gentrification
Seoul: When TV personality Hong Suk-chun opened a Thai restaurant in Itaewon 14 years ago, the best-known foreigners’ district in South Korea was always bustling with American soldiers and foreign tourists, as well as local visitors sampling the exotic ambience of the neighborhood. Hong has since seen the district lose…
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Politics
Strange events in Tehran-Kiev plane crash
By Alireza Bahrami Tehran: The crash of a Ukrainian plane that left Tehran for Kiev last Wednesday morning but crashed was accompanied by strange and sometimes interesting events. The flight came shortly after Iran’s military strike on the US military base in Iraq. As the plane crashed near Tehran shortly…
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Politics
Sultan Qaboos, the ruler of Oman, dies at 79
By Habib Toumi Muscat: Sultan Qaboos bin Said, a ruler who embodied Oman as he led its transformation from a sleepy enclave into a modern state, was laid to rest on Saturday. Qaboos, 79, ruled for almost five decades, having replaced his father as the Sultan of the country on…
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Politics
Tunisia’s parliament rejects proposed government
Tunis: Tunisia’s lawmakers on Friday evening rejected by a great majority the government formed by Prime Minister-designate Habib Jemli. Following a marathon session that lasted well into the evening, 134 lawmakers voted against the proposed cabinet while 72 supported it. Three MPs abstained. Al Nahda, a a moderate Islamist party, won…
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Politics
Work on Kyrgyzstan-Azerbaijan Friendship Park launched
Bishkek: Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan are reinforcing their relations by building a park and a high school that would symbolize their increasing their friendship. The agreement on the construction was reached following talks between President Sooronbay Jeenbekov of Kyrgyzstan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan on the margins of the Summit…
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Politics
South Korea’s exports largely unaffected by Mideast tension
Seoul: South Korea said Friday the lingering uncertainties in the Middle East sparked by U.S.-Iran tensions are expected to have only a limited impact on its exports but vowed swift countermeasures if there is increased volatility. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy organized a meeting with related institutions, including…
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Politics
South Korea conveys Trump’s birthday message for Kim Jong-un
Seoul: U.S. President Donald Trump has congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on his birthday, South Korea’s top presidential security adviser said Friday after returning from his trip to Washington, D.C. Chung Eui-yong, head of Cheong Wa Dae’s national security office, had a brief meeting with Trump at the White…
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Politics
Moon urges inter-Korean efforts to realize Kim Jong-un visit to South Korea
Seoul: President Moon Jae-in proposed Tuesday that the two Koreas make concerted efforts to create the conditions for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit South Korea as agreed. In his New Year’s address, he also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to pushing for the resumption of two major inter-Korean projects…
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