The Korea Herald

Lunar eclipse turns moon blood red

Jun 16, 2011

SYDNEY, June 16, 2011 (AFP) - The longest lunar eclipse in more than a decade turned the moon blood red on Thursday, yielding a rare visual treat for stargazers across a large swathe of the planet from Australia to Europe.The first eclipse of the year -- when the Earth casts its shadow over the moon -- was seen in parts of Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.Often the moon turns brown in an eclipse
Lee's friend sentenced to prison for influence-peddling

Social affairsJun 16, 2011

A businessman and friend of President Lee Myung-bak received a prison sentence on Thursday for taking kickbacks in return for using his influence to help a troubled company.Chun Shin-il, chairman of Sejoong Namo Tour agency, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and a forfeit of 3.2 billion won (US$2.96 million) for influence-peddling."The jail term was inevitable since we need to eradic
Suwon mob members arrested: Police

Social affairsJun 16, 2011

Members of organized crime outfit “Bookmoonpa” were arrested for violations of the Act on Punishment of Violence etc., according to Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency.The mob’s vice-leader, surnamed Choi, and 15 other members were detained, while another 74 were booked without detention.The group was organized in Suwon in 1983 by their leader, surnamed Kim, who is now abroad. Therefore, Choi is bel
Al-Qaida says al-Zawahri has succeeded bin Laden

World NewsJun 16, 2011

CAIRO (AP) -- Al-Qaida has selected its longtime No. 2 to succeed Osama bin Laden following last month's U.S. commando raid that killed the terror leader, according to a statement posted Thursday on a web site affiliated with the network.Ayman al-Zawahri, who will turn 60 next week, is the son of an upper middle class Egyptian family of doctors and scholars.His father was a pharmacology professor
Father influences daughters’ sexual behavior

ScienceJun 16, 2011

Girls' decisions about sex are significantly influenced by their father’s parenting skills, a new study shows. “Girls who receive lower quality fathering tend to engage in more risky sexual behavior -- sex without a condom, having sex while drunk, multiple sexual partners and becoming pregnant before age 19 -- in adolescence,” said Bruce J. Ellis of the University of Arizona Norton School of Famil
Olive oil could lower stroke risk: study

HealthJun 16, 2011

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Older people who eat olive oil have a lower risk of stroke than those who do not, suggested a study of more than 7,000 French people that was published Wednesday in the United States.Researchers at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Bordeaux, France followed 7,625 people age 65 and older from three cities -- Bordeaux, Dijon and Montpellier -- for a period o
Park Yoo-chun proves star power on TV screen

PeopleJun 16, 2011

Whether singing, acting, or narrating, he guarantees Asia-wide promotion. K-pop star Park Yoo-chun, who is taking on his second major TV drama, is proving his star power, as the show has drawn big attention both in the country and overseas.The MBC drama “Miss Ripley,” in which Park plays an heir to a resort empire, had already been exported to Japan and the U.S. before it was finished, in a deal w
Dispute over use of organs of those killed by euthanasia

ScienceJun 16, 2011

Lungs from those who die by euthanasia are more suitable for transplant surgery, according to medical specialists from Belgium.Dirk van Raemdonck, the leader of the study from Leuven, explained that lungs taken from people who died through euthanasia were in better condition than those taken from victims of accidents.The report, “Initial Experience With Transplantation of Lungs Recovered From Dono
Hollywood's Natalie Portman gives birth to a boy

FilmJun 16, 2011

Natalie Portman poses backstage with the Oscar for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "Black Swan" at the 83rd Academy Awards. (AP-Yonhap News)LOS ANGELES, June 15, 2011 (AFP) - Actress Natalie Portman, who in February won an Oscar for her lead performance in the ballet-themed thriller "Black Swan," has capped off her banner year with the birth of a son, US media reported Wednesd
Greek riots, political chaos hammer markets

World BusinessJun 16, 2011

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Greece's prime minister, struggling to ensure Parliamentary approval for a crucial austerity bill, said he would reshuffle his Cabinet and seek a vote of confidence for his new government after coalition talks with opposition parties failed.The negotiations collapsed Thursday as rioters clashed with police in the streets of Athens during a general strike and renewed fears of
Korea to allow supermarket sales of 44 OTC drugs

Social affairsJun 16, 2011

The health ministry said Wednesday that it will allow 44 over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical products to be sold not only at licensed drug stores, but also at supermarkets, convenience stores and any other retail outlet.The measure is expected to go into effect as early as August, considering the time needed for administrative procedures to revise related regulations and for preparations by phar
Hackers say they hit CIA website

World NewsJun 16, 2011

An 18-year-old Greek man has been arrested in Athens, accused of hacking into websites of the U.S. government and the international crime fighting agency Interpol, and engaging in credit card fraud, Greek police said. (AP-Yonhap News)WASHINGTON (AP) -- A group of hackers who breached the Senate's computer system this week claimed responsibility Wednesday for problems with the CIA's website.The gro
Seoul City sees steady increase in foreign visitors

Social affairsJun 15, 2011

Chinese tourists emerging as biggest spendersDespite recent unfavorable conditions including North Korea’s bombardment on Yeongpyeong Island, the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, an earthquake and radiation fears in Japan, Seoul City sees a slight increase in the number of foreign visitors to the capital this year.According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday, the number of foreig
Finance Ministry, BOK agree on policy coordination

Jun 15, 2011

The Bank of Korea and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance will increase policy coordination as they work to minimize the effect of uncertainties in domestic and international economic conditions. The measures were announced in a joint statement released by the central bank and the ministry following an early morning meeting between Bank of Korea Governor Kim Choong-soo and Finance Minister Bahk J
Hana Financial may be banned from M&A

Jun 15, 2011

FSC’s move comes as group’s brokerage and banking units sanctionedThe financial authorities have begun to review laws as to whether Hana Financial Group is an eligible investor to buy a company such as Korea Exchange Bank.Their move comes as the financial group’s brokerage and banking units were sanctioned last month and 2009, respectively, sources said Wednesday.If a financial company receives a