The Korea Herald

U.N. authorizes 300 Syria cease-fire observers

World NewsApr 22, 2012

Security Council unanimously backs Russia-European draftUNITED NATIONS (AP) ― The Security Council unanimously approved a resolution Saturday expanding the number of U.N. cease-fire observers in Syria from 30 to 300 and demanding an immediate halt to the violence that has been escalating since the government and opposition agreed to end hostilities more than a week ago.The resolution is the first authorizing unarmed U.N. military observers to go into a conflict area, and it gives Secretary-Gener
60 injured in Amsterdam train crash

World NewsApr 22, 2012

THE HAGUE (AFP) ― Two trains collided head-on just outside Amsterdam on Saturday, injuring at least 60 people, up to 20 of them seriously, Dutch transport police said.“There are 60 people injured ― some 15 to 20 badly,” police spokesman Ed Kraszewski told AFP, after the crash near Sloterdijk in the western suburbs of Amsterdam, but he added “I can’t give exact figures.”A spokeswoman for the Dutch capital’s fire service put the number of seriously injured at 56, adding “tens of others were slight
Chinese P.M. wraps up visit to Iceland

World NewsApr 22, 2012

REYKJAVIK (AFP) ― Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao wrapped up a visit to Iceland on Saturday, the first stage in a four-nation European tour, after concluding an accord on cooperation in the oil-rich Arctic region.A geologist by training, Wen visited the Hellisheidarvirkjun geothermal plant on a volcanic ridge near Reykjavik on Saturday, accompanied by Icelandic Foreign Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson.China and Iceland have a partnership, through the Orka Energy and Sinopec companies, to develop geother
China political scandal reveals impunity of elites

World NewsApr 22, 2012

BEIJING (AFP) ― A sensational political scandal unfolding in China has exposed the high level of impunity enjoyed by elites at a time when social tensions are rising, highlighting the need for change, observers say.The affair ― which toppled Bo Xilai, one of the Communist Party’s stars, and prompted authorities to probe his wife for murder ― has played out in an unusually public manner despite the best efforts of China’s censors.There have been scant official announcements about the case, but al
China and Russia hold first navy exercises

World NewsApr 22, 2012

China and Russia on Sunday launched their first joint naval exercises amid tensions between China and its Asian neighbors over regional territorial claims.The six days of drills are talking place in the Yellow Sea off China's east coast, the official China News Service said, adding these were the first dedicated exercises involving the two navies.Taking place near Qingdao city off the coast of Sha
Polls open in France for presidential election

World NewsApr 22, 2012

French voters headed to the polls on Sunday for the first round of a presidential election that is expected to mark the end of Nicolas Sarkozy's turbulent term in office.Predictions of a high abstention rate and strong protest vote left the outcome uncertain, but recent opinion polls pointed to the right-wing incumbent coming second to his Socialist challenger Francois Hollande.The two 57-year-old
Cold weather linked to witchcraft trials

World NewsApr 22, 2012

A spell of cold weather may have sparked the infamous Salem witch trials in 1692, as witches were thought capable of controlling weather, U.S. researchers say.Witch hunts have coincided with cold periods throughout history, possibly because people sought out scapegoats to blame for crop failures and general economic hardship during such times, LiveScience.com reported.The most active period of wit
Africa said rich in underground water

World NewsApr 22, 2012

The continent of Africa is sitting on a vast reservoir of groundwater in underground aquifers holding 100 times the amount found on the surface, scientists say.Researchers from the British Geological Survey and University College London have mapped the amount and potential yield of groundwater resources for the entire continent.While rivers and lakes are subject to seasonal changes that can limit
Man who gave birth says he and wife split

World NewsApr 22, 2012

A U.S. man who became internationally famous for bearing three children after switching from his previous female identity says he and his wife have separated. Thomas Beatie appeared on the syndicated television show "The Doctors," where he announced both that he has completed gender reassignment surgery, presumably making him incapable of child bearing, and has split from the woman he has been ma
60 injured in Amsterdam two-train crash: police

World NewsApr 22, 2012

Two trains collided head-on just outside Amsterdam on Saturday, injuring at least 60 people, up to 20 of them seriously, Dutch transport police said. Police and other rescuers search victims at the accident site of trains collision in the west side of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on Saturday. (Xinhua-Yonhap News)"There are 60 people injured -- some 15 to 20 badly," police spokesman Ed Kraszewski to
Pakistan moves against airline after crash

World NewsApr 21, 2012

(AP) -- Pakistan blocked the head of an airline whose jet crashed near the capital from leaving the country as it began an investigation Saturday into the country's second major air disaster in less then two years. The Bhoja Air passenger jet crashed Friday as it tried to land in a thunderstorm at Islamabad's main airport, killing all 127 people on board. The small domestic airline, which resu
Women’s lower status risk for Asian future: report

World NewsApr 20, 2012

SHANGHAI (AP) ― The 2 billion women in Asia are still paid less than men for similar work and are extremely underrepresented in top leadership positions, according to a report that estimates limits on female employment cost the region $89 billion a year in lost productivity.The Asia Society survey on women’s status in health, education, economic activity and political leadership urges improvements to ensure the region benefits fully from its underused pool of human talent.While the status of wom
Sarkozy camp insists race not over in France vote

World NewsApr 20, 2012

PARIS (AFP) ― President Nicolas Sarkozy’s camp insisted Thursday that France’s election race was far from over as the top candidates sought to lure a large number of undecided and apathetic potential voters.Despite his strong and persistent lead in the opinion polls, Socialist frontrunner Francois Hollande urged voters to show up for Sunday’s first round, worried that a low turnout could benefit Sarkozy.“It is in these next hours that many in France will make their choice. I can see that there i
EU-U.S. anti-terror deal on data-sharing finally approved

World NewsApr 20, 2012

A controversial deal enabling transfer of EU air passenger data to US authorities as part of the global fight against terrorism was finally approved Thursday in the European Parliament.After two years of wrangling due to privacy concerns, a majority of MEPs gave the deal their green light, with 409 voting in favor, 226 against and 33 abstentions.The agreement, intended to replace a provisional accord from 2007, sets the legal conditions to transfer air passengers’ personal data to the U.S. Depar
Lagarde: IMF able to boost crisis funds

World NewsApr 20, 2012

IMF head Christine Lagarde said Thursday that the crisis lender would get a significant boost to its intervention capacity this week as worries mounted that Spain might be the next eurozone country to seek a rescue.Warning that “dark clouds” still hover over the global economy, she expressed confidence that International Monetary Fund members meeting in Washington would put up the funds needed for a “global firewall.”But with the United States not taking part, all eyes were on China and the othe