The Seoul Central District Court on Thursday rejected the prosecution's proposal to issue arrest warrants for Reps. Sin Geh-ryeun and Shin Hak-yong of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy.Sin Geh-ryeun has been on suspicion of taking 50 million won ($49,000) in bribes, from Seoul Arts College. Shin Hak-yong was also reportedly involved in the alleged bribery.In an earlier statement, Sin said that he “has not received kickbacks concerning the school name-change approval.” Shin,

The courts in Seoul and Incheon on Thursday issued arrest warrants for three incumbent lawmakers, who have been on suspicion of taking kickbacks, to take them into custody.The three are the ruling Saenuri Party’s Reps. Jo Hyun-yong and Park Sang-eun and the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy’s Rep. Kim Jae-yun.Meanwhile, the Seoul Central District Court said it rejected the prosecution's proposal to issue warrants against Reps. Sin Geh-ryeun and Shin Hak-yong of the NPAD.By Kim

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Three relatives of Pope Francis, two great nephews and their mother, have been killed in a traffic accident in Argentina, police said Tuesday.The dead include a baby of eight months and a two-year-old toddler, police commissioner Carina Ferreyra said. Their father, the pope's nephew Horacio Bergoglio, is in serious condition, she told AFP.The accident happened after midnight in the central province of Cordoba when the family was traveling on a highway.For reasons that are un

Global credit appraiser Fitch Ratings said Tuesday that it has affirmed its sovereign ratings on South Korea, citing its "resilient" growth, "moderate" government debt, and "sustained" budget surpluses.Fitch retained its ratings on South Korea at "AA-," the fourth-highest of its rating system, and also maintained its rating outlook at "stable.""Growth remains broadly resilient notwithstanding a slowdown in the second quarter of 2014 following a shock to consumer confidence from the Sewol ferry d

The bereaved families of the victims of April's deadly ferry sinking rejected a deal reached by rival parties Tuesday to pass a bill aimed at uncovering the truth behind one of the country's deadliest maritime accidents.The development is a new twist in efforts by President Park Geun-hye's government to put the tragedy behind and move on to address a host of pressing national issues, including rebuilding the sluggish economy.The 6,825-ton ferry Sewol capsized off South Korea's southwest coast on

The Incheon District Prosecutors' Office on Sunday asked the court to issue arrest warrants for the deceased ferry tycoon Yoo Byung-eun's eldest son, Dae-kyoon, and his female aide Park Soo-kyung to take them into custody for charges invovling embezzlement.According to prosecutors, Yoo Dae-kyoon, 44, has been suspected of having pocketed funds worth 9.9 billion won ($9.7 million) of affiliates of Chonghaejin Marine Co., the operator of the capsized ferry Sewol.Park, 34, has allegedly helped Dae-

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, July 15, 2014 (AFP) - Israel carried out at least four air strikes against Gaza on Tuesday afternoon, resuming raids after a truce that failed to get off the ground, AFP correspondents and eyewitnesses said.An AFP correspondent reported one air strike east of Gaza City, and eyewitnesses reported a second in the centre of the city.Witnesses also reported strikes in Nusseirat in central Gaza as well as in the Khan Yunis area in the south. There were no immediate