Activist’s detention was part of major government crackdown on ‘Jasmine’ protestersBEIJING (AFP) ― Outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was released on bail in Beijing Wednesday nearly three months after he was detained during the government’s biggest crackdown on activists in years.Police released him after he confessed to tax evasion and because he suffers from a “chronic disease,” the official Xi

President Obama says withdrawal marks beginning of ‘efforts to wind down the war’WASHINGTON (AP) ― Beginning to wind down a long and devastating war, President Barack Obama announced Wednesday night he was pulling home 33,000 troops from Afghanistan by next summer, withdrawing the “surge” of forces he had sent to rescue a flailing effort. “The tide of war is receding,” Said Obama to a country eage

Installation view of Lee U-fan’s “Dialogue” at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (Kukje Gallery/Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation)The first retrospective exhibition in the U.S. on South Korean artist Lee U-fan opened on Friday at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. Titled “Lee Ufan: Marking Infinity,” the exhibition looks back on the artist’s career of almost half a century by presenting 9

About 60 books written by Korean pastor Lee Jae-rock of Manmin Central Church, translated into 25 foreign languages, were exhibited by Urim Books at the 17th Seoul International Book Fair from June 15 to 19 at COEX in Seoul. Urim Books exhibited Lee’s books on his Christian faith and spiritual experiences along with their translated copies. Having translated Lee’s books into 25 different languages

Veteran writer’s 39th novel coincides with 39-year-long careerFor the past 39 years, author Park Beom-shin has been a busy man. He has raised his three children with his wife, taught at a university, and published almost 40 books. “I’ve always gone for the second best options in my life,” Park told reporters at a press meeting held in central Seoul, Wednesday. “It was the only way to compromise. I

Non-verbal performance Dulsori to stage three-day celebration in SeoulWild ancient revelry moves to the resounding beat of Korea’s past in “Dulsori,” roughly translated as “heartbeat of the land,” which since 1984 has brought the rhythm of Korean festivals to audiences in 50 countries. To mark this journey, which has taken the show’s performers to destinations as diverse as Belgium, Cambodia and P

WALNUT CREEK, California ― Last year, Kerri Campbell made a decision: She would no longer sit at her desk eight hours a day. Today, the retail broker for Daymon Worldwide in Pleasanton, Calif., stands on a couple of black pads, each about an inch think. Her keyboard is on a wooden stand built by her husband, and her monitor rests at eye level on a box, a hard drive dock and a ream of paper.It’s no

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a degenerative spinal disorder that develops when the foramina of the lumbar vertebrae become narrowed resulting in compression of the nerve roots. This compression of the spinal canal causes back pain and neurological symptoms in the lower limbs. Spinal stenosis may be congenital (idiopathic) or acquired (degenerative). The main symptoms of the disease are limping and ba

USFDA OKs hard-hitting warnings on cigarettes but tobacco lobby checks similar Korean moveWith the unveiling of nine graphic images that will adorn every cigarette pack sold in the U.S. from the fall of 2012, government officials and outside experts predict there will be an initial wave of smokers seeking help in quitting. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the graphic labels released Tues

Sports science team supports Korean athletes for Daegu worldsIt was 4 p.m. on Tuesday and a female athlete was nervously sitting on a strange looking chair in a lab with one of her legs strapped into a machine.“Go! Kick your leg as fast as you can,” shouted an instructor, and the athlete followed suit with a painful look on her face. “It’s a muscular performance test,” said Sung Bong-ju, a senior

PyeongChang’s bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics has been boosted by support from university students and a number of sports stars.A student volunteer group led by professor Seo Kyung-deok of Sungshin Women’s University, has been traveling around Asia since the beginning of 2011 to help promote PyeongChang’s bid.  Professor Seo Kyung-deok (left) of Sungshin Women’s University and his students pose w