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Inconsistencies in leaked IS files sound 'alarm bells': analysts

World NewsMar 10, 2016

BEIRUT (AFP) - Analysts on Thursday cast doubt on the authenticity of thousands of documents reportedly leaked from the Islamic State jihadist group, pointing out mistakes and uncharacteristic language.The trove of documents, which includes the names, addresses, phone numbers and family contacts of IS jihadists, was handed over to Britain's Sky News by a disillusioned former member, the broadcaster said Wednesday.Syrian opposition news website Zaman al-Wasl said there were thousands of repetitio
How far will European Central Bank go in providing stimulus?

World NewsMar 10, 2016

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) – How far will Mario Draghi and the European Central Bank go to boost inflation and a shaky economy?Market participants are waiting for the bank rate decision and president's news conference Thursday to find out. Economists predict that the ECB's 25-member governing council will follow through on Draghi's comments in recent weeks that have been interpreted as a near-promise of more stimulus. The question is, how much more? And how much good will it do? Market analysts exp
Fukushima 'decontamination troops' often exploited, shunned

World NewsMar 10, 2016

MINAMISOMA, Japan (AP) – The ashes of half a dozen unidentified laborers ended up at a Buddhist temple in this town just north of the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant. Some of the dead men had no papers, others left no emergency contacts. Their names could not be confirmed and no family members had been tracked down to claim their remains.They were simply labeled ``decontamination troops'' – unknown soldiers in Japan's massive cleanup campaign to make Fukushima livable again five years after rad
[Newsmaker] Lula charged in money laundering probe

World NewsMar 10, 2016

SAO PAULO (AFP) -- Brazilian state prosecutors on Wednesday filed money laundering charges against ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a dramatic twist to an anti-corruption battle threatening to bring down the government.The indictment against the hugely influential leftist leader alleges that he hid ownership of a luxury triplex apartment at a seaside resort in Sao Paulo state, a source in the Sao Paulo prosecutor‘s Office said.“He is accused of hiding property in relation to the triplex
[Hallyu power] Bae Doo-na breaks through borders

FilmMar 1, 2016

In the Netflix sci-fi series “Sense 8,” actress Bae Doo-na plays Sun Bak, vice president of a Seoul-based firm by day and an underground kickboxer by night. Bak is one of the toughest characters Bae has played in her prolific 17-year acting career. This is also the most widely watched series she has been in. “I heard season one ranked as the most popular show in every region from North and South Americas to Europe. I was thrilled to learn that,” said Bae, who was speaking to The Korea Herald whi
NY dance company claims China pressure behind canceled show

TheaterMar 1, 2016

Shen Yun Performing Arts, a New York-based Chinese dance company that was scheduled to perform at Seoul‘s KBS Hall from May 6-8, claims that the Chinese government had a hand in the cancellation of its upcoming Seoul show. “KBS canceled the rental contract (with us), citing an illogical reason, and we soon found out it was not its voluntary decision, but because of pressure from the Chinese Embassy,” said Lee Chang-sik, head of New Cosmos Media, in charge of promoting and marketing Shen Yun Per
N. Korea warns of 'pre-emptive' strike against South, U.S.

North KoreaFeb 23, 2016

North Korea on Tuesday strongly denounced the upcoming joint military exercise between Seoul and Washington, warning a "pre-emptive strike" against any attempt to collapse the Kim Jong-un regime.South Korea and the United States plan to conduct their largest-ever military drill next month at a time of heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula following Pyongyang's recent nuclear test and long-range missile launch. North Korean anchor delivers the North Korean regime’s warning against the upcom
Syrian opposition and government accept truce

World NewsFeb 23, 2016

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) – The Syrian government and the main umbrella for Syrian opposition and rebel groups announced Tuesday their conditional acceptance of a proposed U.S.-Russian cease fire that the international community hopes will bring them back to the negotiating table in Geneva for talks to end the war.The announcement came after the United States and Russia agreed on a new cease-fire for Syria that will take effect Saturday, even as major questions over enforcement were left unresolved.T
Regime agrees to Syria peace deal but doubts persist

World NewsFeb 23, 2016

DAMASCUS (AFP) – Syria's regime agreed Tuesday to a ceasefire deal announced by the United States and Russia, but there were widespread doubts it could take effect by the weekend as hoped.The agreement, announced Monday, does not apply to jihadists like the Islamic State group and Al-Nusra Front, putting up major hurdles to how it can be implemented on Syria's complex battlefield.A Syrian foreign ministry statement said the government would continue to fight both those groups as well as other "t
Bill Gates sides against Apple in FBI iPhone-unlocking case

World NewsFeb 23, 2016

LONDON (AP) – Bill Gates is siding against Apple – and many other technology companies – in saying the firm should help the U.S. government to hack into a locked iPhone as part of an investigation into the San Bernardino shooting.Apple has resisted providing a piece of programming that would help the FBI access the phone. Apple argues that governments, both in the U.S. and overseas, are likely to use the program in other cases, undermining data privacy.In an interview Tuesday with the Financial
Opposition party filibusters against anti-terrorism bill

PoliticsFeb 23, 2016

SEOUL (Yonhap) – South Korea's main opposition party kicked off a filibuster during a parliamentary session Tuesday, in protest against an assembly speaker's decision to put a long-stalled anti-terrorism bill to a vote.Earlier, National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa invoked his authority to take the bill to the floor for a vote that has been stalled for more than a decade.Since the first draft of the bill was filed with the National Assembly following the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 as a measure to
Cameron warns on Brexit risks as sterling plunges

World NewsFeb 23, 2016

LONDON (AFP) -- Prime Minister David Cameron warned Monday that a vote to leave the EU would risk Britain‘s economic and national security, as uncertainty over the outcome of the June referendum sent the pound plunging.In a speech to the House of Commons, the Conservative leader launched a barely-veiled attack on London Mayor Boris Johnson, his long-term rival who has come out for Britain exiting the EU -- a Brexit -- accusing him of taking the position for political gain.Johnson challenged the
U.S., Russia agree on Syria cease-fire plan

World NewsFeb 23, 2016

BEIRUT (AFP) -- A landmark truce is to take effect in Syria on Saturday, the United States and Russia announced, but the “cessation of hostilities” does not include the Islamic State and Al-Nusra Front, the main jihadist factions.The leading opposition group in the five-year conflict gave its conditional acceptance to Monday‘s announcement, but Israel said it was skeptical the deal would hold, and analysts warned any pause in the fighting would be dependent on Russia, Iran and President Bashar a
Stroll through royal palaces under moonlight

CultureFeb 17, 2016

Nighttime at a royal palace in Seoul reveals the beauty of Joseon-era architecture and unique contrast between the centuries-old landscape and modern skyscrapers outside the walls. Thanks to the growing number of visitors wishing to be immersed in the magical night view, royal palaces will remain open in the evening more frequently than it did last year. The state-run Cultural Heritage Administration, which manages public programs at royal palaces, announced it would increase the late-night open
Art that mirrors social networks’ connectedness

TheaterFeb 15, 2016

The fast pace and wide reach of social media is a source of inspiration for artist Lee Ye-seung. Social networks allow people to exchange information and ideas with people they have never met in person and expose content to a large number of people.Mirroring this interconnectedness, Lee came up with interactive kinetic media installations that operate on signals they receive from adjoining installations as well as the movements of viewers. They are on view at the Artside Gallery in Tongui-dong,