• Society

    Restoration of Sungnyemun

    A stonemason carries out restoration work for Sungnyemun. It has been four years since the No. 1 National Treasure in Korea was devastated by an arson attack. In the rapidly expanding forest of skyscrapers in Seoul, one modest architectural structure stands proudly. Songnyemun, National Treasure No.1. A fire engulfed the…

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  • Society

    Malaysia bans British children sex education book “Where Did I Come From”

    Malaysia banned an almost 40- year-old sex education book for children following complaints by public that the book is obscene. The Home Ministry said the book is banned on the grounds that it contains elements “detrimental to the society’s morals and public interest”. “Where Did I Come From” by British…

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  • Society

    Power cut hours reduced in Nepal

    The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has decided to reduce power cut from the existing 80 hours a week to 75 hours, effective from Thursday. According to Chiranjibi Sharma, the spokesperson for the NEA, the effective enforcement of the drive against electricity leakage and increase in the efficiency of major hydropower…

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  • Society

    Japan to develop ‘Tsunami-proof lifeboat’

    Local authorities in western Japan will start a new project to develop a  lifeboat which is able to float on rising “tsunami” waves as one of the evacuation measures, local press reported. The project is initiated by Shikoku Region Transport Bureau, the regional subordinate organization of Japan’s Ministry of Land,…

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  • Society

    Does beauty really matter?

    Good-looking athletes attract fans but problems too Ability is everything in sports. But these days it sounds like an outdated catchphrase, as good-looking athletes are enjoying rock-star status, dominating local sports. Their emergence, combining skills and looks, is attracting more fans resulting in raising the profile of the sports they…

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  • Society

    Bear bile maker, under fire, opens farm to reporters

    A Chinese pharmaceutical company Wednesday morning allowed more than 100 reporters to visit a farm where it breeds bears for their bile, amid protests from the public and animal welfare activists. At the bear farm of Guizhentang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., based in the eastern province of Fujian, a Xinhua reporter…

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  • Society

    Mountaineer Um Hong-gil built the 3rd school in Nepal

    Um Hong-gil Human Foundation held opening ceremony in Lumbini The 4th ground-breaking ceremony on 25 Feb. 16 schools will be built in future Um Hong-gil Human Foundation (Chairman Lee Jae-hu) with the motto “Love for Nature and Love for People” built a school on 21 in Lumbini, the southern part…

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  • PoliticsTrade Minister Bark Tae-ho (Photo: News 1)

    Korea-US FTA to take effect on March 15

    The free trade agreement between Korea and the United States (KORUS FTA) will go into effect on March 15, six years after the two countries kicked off talks on the trade pact in June 2006.   Trade Minister Bark Tae-ho (Photo: News 1)  Trade Minister Bark Tae-ho announced Tuesday that…

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  • Society

    Ministries split over plan on Filipino babysitters

    Many Korean women quit their jobs after giving birth in the face of a range of difficulties in raising children while working at the same time. A shortage of decent childcare facilities, among other factors, makes working moms refrain from having more babies or end up staying home to raise…

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  • Society

    ‘Gabi’: East-meets-West thriller on Joseon Kingdom’s first coffee

    A scene from “Gabi” The wild popularity of coffee has spilled over to the silver screen, and that Western influence has created an unconventional period piece set in the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1897). “Gabi,” the newest film by Chang Yoon-hyun (“Hwang Jin-yi,” “Tell Me Something” and “The Contact,” among others), has…

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