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East Asia
Love-stricken Rain hit over furlough
Top star Rain was embroiled in controversy Wednesday for allegedly receiving preferential treatment during his ongoing military service, after his relationship with top actress Kim Tae-hee was revealed. Criticism of Rain, who is currently serving as an “entertainment soldier,” has been blowing up after online media Dispatch revealed the relationship,…
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East Asia
Defense minister warns budget cut will backfire
Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin expressed deep regret Wednesday that the National Assembly passed the New Year’s budget with nearly 500 billion cut from his ministry’s proposal. “It’s not right to slash the defense budget in order to use the financial resources for other purposes at this critical time when national…
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East Asia
Seoul tells NK to act prudently
Following a New Years overture by North Korea to improve cross-border relations, senior Seoul officials Wednesday urged Pyongyang to take a constructive path if it wants to alleviate tension. The remarks pointed at lingering concerns that the North could continue to act provocatively through further testing of nuclear weapons technology.…
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East Asia
Major changes in regulations this year
Increase of childcare subsidy All Korean households with children aged between three and five will be given 220,000 won ($203) per child every month, under the government’s plan to expand public welfare benefits and reduce the financial burden of childcare on families. The subsidy reflects concern about the rapid increase…
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South Asia
A Bomb Goes Off In Karachi, Killing Two People And Injuring 35 Others
People wheel an injured man at hospital in Pakistan’s Karachi on Jan. 1, 2013. At least two people were killed and 35 others injured on Tuesday evening as a bomb went off in a busy area in Karachi. Cameramen film a vehicle damaged by a motorcycle bomb in Pakistan’s Karachi…
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Society
A Ukrainian Carries A Torch During A Rally To Remember Stepan Bandera Who Stood Up Against Soviet Regime
A Ukrainian nationalist carries a torch during a rally in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, late Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. The rally was organized on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Stepan Bandera, founder of a rebel army that fought against the Soviet regime. Poster at background right reads: “Bandera will…
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West Asia
Yemen, Due To Its Aridness, Relies On Groundwater For Its Water Supply
A Yemeni villager stands next to a well drilling rig on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, Jan. 1, 2013. Yemen is one of the most arid countries on the earth and relies almost exclusively on groundwater for its water supply. The amount of water used in agriculture in Yemen is…
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South Asia
Pakistanis Mourn Death Of Seven NGO Members By Attack At Swabi
People gather at the attack site in northwest Pakistan’s Swabi on Jan. 1, 2013. At least seven people including six females of a non-government organization were killed as their team came under attack in Swabi, local media reported on Tuesday. Pakistanis mourn over the death of NGO workers in northwest…
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West Asia
Shitte Pilgrims Gather To Remember Martyrdom Of Imam Hussein In Kabala, Iraq
Shiite faithful pilgrims gather in front of the holy shrine of Imam Abbas, top, for Arbaeen in Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. The holiday marks the end of the forty day mourning period after the anniversary of the 7th century martyrdom of…
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West Asia
Iranian Soldiers Celebrate Successful Test Firing Of Long-Range Missile
Iranian soldiers celebrate after successfully launching missiles during the fifth day of the six-day naval drill dubbed Velayat 91 from the coastline of the sea of Oman in southern Iran on Jan. 1, 2013. Iranian navy test-fired Tuesday the Noor long-range missile in the ongoing naval drill, the official IRNA…
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