ROME (AP) ― A chorus of Handel’s “Alleluia” rang out Saturday as Silvio Berlusconi resigned as Italian premier, ending a tumultuous 17-year political era and setting in motion a transition aimed at bringing the country back from the brink of economic crisis.Berlusconi stepped down amid jeers, cheers and heckles of “Buffoon” from thousands of people who packed downtown Rome to witness his government’s downfall after a stunning week of market turmoil that upended his defiant hold on power and thre

Quelling of online discussion of FTA criticized as counter-productiveAs Korea looks to ratify a Free Trade Agreement with the United States, rumors continue to spread on the Internet about disastrous consequences experienced by other countries that have sealed trade pacts with the U.S.The main claim is that the trade deal, once it takes effect, will raise medical expenses.According to the claims, simple operations such as appendectomies will cost as much as 9 million won ($7,993) and cough medic

Poor communication between centers and hospitals leads to frustrationOne-Stop Centers throughout the country provide basic emergency care for female victims of sexual violence, but some believe the system lacks compassion and efficiency. The centers provide several forms of care including counseling, medical, police and legal assistance. Before the centers were first established in 2005, victims of sexual violence had to visit several facilities separately to receive full care.And given that the

GENEVA (AFP) ― The Amazon rainforest, Vietnam’s Halong Bay and Argentina’s Iguazu Falls were named among the world’s new seven wonders of nature, according to organizers of a global poll.The other four crowned the world’s natural wonders are South Korea’s Jeju Island, Indonesia’s Komodo, the Philippines’ Puerto Princesa Underground River and South Africa’s Table Mountain, said the New7Wonders foundation, citing provisional results. Final results will be announced early 2012, said the Swiss fou

JEJU ISLAND ― Jeju Island, a volcanic tourist attraction off the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, has developed its unique culture over thousands of years due to its people’s relationship with nature and mythology.The first place in the world to receive UNESCO designations in all three natural science categories, Jeju has its cultural foundation in the animistic belief among its people that the island is home to 18,000 gods. Tamnaguk Ipchun Gutnori is a large shamanic ritual to welcome the

BUSAN ― This year’s G-Star saw a boost in international recognition, shown through new online and mobile games as well as increased partnerships with overseas firms as it ended Sunday.People waited in hour-long lines to experience online games scheduled for future release ― such as NCsoft’s “Guild Wars 2” and “Lineage Eternal,” Neowiz’s “DIZZEL,” NEXON’s “Epic of the Three Kingdoms” and NHN Hangame’s “Winning Eleven Online.” It was the first time they were unveiled to the global industry.G-Star

ManpowerGroup CEO stresses diversity in corporate talent sourcesKorean companies will need to reinvent their strategies to hire graduates from different talent sources, according to Jeff Joerres, chief executive of ManpowerGroup, the largest U.S.-based staffing company.Criticizing the university culture of developing the same skill sets and studying the same language materials here, the ManpowerGroup chief of 12 years emphasized the importance of prioritizing diversity for Korean companies reach