The Korea Herald

Fitch cuts UBS ratings, says more may follow

World NewsOct 14, 2011

UBS AG, Lloyds Banking Group Plc and Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc had long-term issuer default grades cut by Fitch Ratings, which put more than a dozen other lenders on watch negative as part of a global review. UBS’s long-term issuer default rating and its “support rating floor” were cut to “A”
BlackBerrys buzz back to life, but damage done

World NewsOct 14, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) ― BlackBerrys across the world buzzed back to life Thursday, leaving customers outraged and threatening to cost the granddaddy of all smartphones more business when it’s already struggling to keep up in a crowded marketplace.The three-day blackout interrupted e-mail and Internet servic
Taiwan jet deal aids ally without provoking rival China

ViewpointsOct 14, 2011

The 100th anniversary marking the fall of China’s last imperial dynasty upped tensions in the Taiwan Strait, with Chinese President Hu Jintao calling for “reunification through peaceful means” and his Taiwanese counterpart, Ma Ying-jeou, responding that he was just fine with the status quo. The last
[Gerhard Schroder] A vision of Europe for 21st century

ViewpointsOct 14, 2011

BERLIN ― Economic crisis in the United States and in Europe, the rise of the emerging economies led by China and the revolutions in the Arab world are shaking the world order. In this context, only a new and expanded vision of Europe can provide a key pillar of stability in the coming decades.As the
[Editorial] Whither labor movement?

EditorialOct 14, 2011

More than 100 days have passed since the multiple labor union system went into effect on July 1. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, a total of 498 new unions were established during the first 100 days. These unions appear to be already exerting palpable influence on Korea’s labor mov
[Editorial] Speed up FTA ratification

EditorialOct 14, 2011

The U.S. Congress has finally ratified the Korea-United States free trade agreement, demonstrating America’s commitment to upgrading and expanding the long-standing military alliance between the two countries to encompass the economic dimension. With Washington completing its part of the deal, the b
‘Occupy’ protests strike a chord with youths around the world

ViewpointsOct 14, 2011

Before the current, weekslong “Occupy Wall Street” protest swept over New York City, news articles in the U.S. lamented the lack of political passion exhibited by the youth of America, most specifically, their absence in any aspect of public demonstration. Many reasons were given for their apparent
Revolution remembered

ViewpointsOct 14, 2011

Aside from traditional holidays, this is one of the few commemorations shared on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. The 100th anniversary is a suitable occasion to pay tribute to the forefathers of Chinese republicanism, and reflect on the nation’s pursuit of and march toward modernity, no matter whi
Don’t allow defense budget to fall for 10 years

ViewpointsOct 14, 2011

Japan’s national security has been deteriorating alarmingly. Now is the time to reverse the continuing decline in the nation’s defense budget.The Defense Ministry is seeking 4.69 trillion yen ($61.2 billion) in its budget demand for fiscal 2012, up 0.6 percent from the defense budget a year earlier.
[Shashi Tharoor] India’s civilian nuclear program

ViewpointsOct 14, 2011

NEW DELHI ― When the Commonwealth heads of government meet in Australia later this month, one prominent leader is almost certain to be conspicuously absent: India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. India is a strong backer of the association of former British colonies (and some new entrants without th
A novel idea for learning English

BooksOct 14, 2011

Members of English-language book clubs enjoy foreign culture, friendship, while honing the languageIt’s a Tuesday morning in southern Seoul, and four middle-aged women are sitting in a cafe over their morning coffee. Filling the space with chats and giggles, the gathering seems nothing more than a s
Calendar

MusicOct 14, 2011

Classical Music“Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra 2011 Mahler Series III”: Conductor Chung Myung-whun and the Seoul Philharmonic Orcehstra will perform Mahler Symphony No. 6 at the Seoul Arts Center on Oct. 20. The 90-minute piece, written when Mahler was having the happiest moment in life, is comprised
BOX OFFICE

FilmOct 14, 2011

The Four Times (Italy, Switzerland, Germany)Opening Oct. 20Drama. Directed by Michelangelo Frammartino. An old shepherd lives alone with his goats, in a remote village perched on the hills of Calabria, in the southernmost region of Italy. The weary old man gets sick one day, and believes the only me
eye-like

MusicOct 14, 2011

Cellist Yang Sung-won starts anewTrio Owon“Schubert, Dvorak Piano Trios”(Universal Music Korea)Trio Owon, consisting of cellist Yang Sung-won and his long-time colleagues Olivier Charlier on violin and Emmanuel Strosser on piano, has released an album “Schubert, Dvorak Piano Trios.” Beautiful piano
Chinese students flock to U.S. film schools to develop their creative voices

FilmOct 14, 2011

Born in northern China and raised in Beijing, Sally Liu came of age in the 1990s and dreamed of becoming a filmmaker. With the world’s most populous nation swelling with thousands of new cinemas, big-budget productions proliferating and box-office grosses multiplying, the movies in China aren’t just