Chinese envoy calls for de-escalation amid tension between Lebanon and Israel

SEOUL, October 4 (AJP) - China's UN representative Fu Cong voiced urgent concerns over the escalating conflict between Lebanon and Israel at a UN Security Council emergency session early this week. Fu described the situation as "hanging by a thread," warning of potential uncontrolled escalation if provocations continue. Fu's remarks on Wednesday came amid Israel's ground operations in southern Lebanon and Iran's missile strikes on Israel. He expressed China

October 4, 2024

China launches campaign to combat online misinformation

SEOUL, October 4 (AJP) - China's top internet regulator on Thursday has kicked off a three-month campaign to crack down on misinformation in online news services, aiming to boost the credibility of mainstream media and create a healthier online environment. This effort, led by the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, will focus on five key areas. First, it will tackle the spread of fake or misleading news, including exaggerated headlines, distorted or fabricated

October 4, 2024

Qatar condemns Middle East crisis as 'collective genocide'

SEOUL, October 4 (AJP) - Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani stated on Thursday that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East amounts to "collective genocide," emphasizing that Qatar has consistently warned against Israel's "unchecked actions." Speaking at the Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, he noted that the situation in Gaza is clearly a form of genocide, further stating that the Gaza Strip is being rendered uninhabitable, paving the way

October 4, 2024

US considers strikes on Iran following missile attack on Israel

SEOUL, October 4 (AJP) - On Thursday, President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. is considering strikes on Iran's oil facilities in retaliation for Tehran's missile attack on Israel. Concurrently, Israel's military launched new airstrikes in Beirut targeting Hezbollah. As Israel weighs its response to Iran's significant attack, Biden was asked if he would support strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure. He confirmed, "We're discussing that," which caused

October 4, 2024

OPINION: How Middle East conflict could influence US election – and why Arab Americans in swing states might vote for Trump

SEOUL, October 4 (AJP) - As we near the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, the conflict in the Middle East has escalated significantly. Iran just launched nearly 200 missiles on Israel, and Israel has continued its fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza. In addition to the assassination of top Hezbollah commanders, including its leader Hassan Nasrallah, Israel has struck hundreds of targets in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa and the suburbs of Beirut in the

October 4, 2024

Toyota delays US electric vehicle production to 2026

SEOUL, October 04 (AJP) - Toyota Motor Corp., the world's largest automaker by volume, announced Thursday it will postpone the launch of electric vehicle (EV) production in the United States to 2026, a delay of several months from its initial 2025 target. The Japanese auto giant cited a need to ensure product quality as the primary reason for the schedule adjustment. The company aims to deliver improved products to consumers through this revised timeline. The decision comes a

October 4, 2024

Japan airport resumes operations after WWII bomb explosion

SEOUL, October 04 (AJP) - Japan's Miyazaki Airport in the southwest resumed flights on Thursday, following a one-day closure prompted by the detonation of an unexploded World War II bomb on a taxiway, airport officials said. The blast, which occurred on Wednesday morning, created a crater about 7 meters wide and 1 meter deep, forcing the cancellation of more than 80 flights. No injuries were reported. Japan's defense ministry said the explosive was a 250-kilogram U.S.-mad

October 4, 2024

PHOTOS: Festival features India's traditional dance in Seoul

SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) - A festival introducing India's cultural diversity to Korea kicked off at Yonsei University in Seoul on Tuesday. The nine-day event, called the "Sarang Festival," organized by the Indian Embassy to Korea and the Indian Cultural Centre, features a variety of Indian arts, including music, dance, film, and cuisine. Tuesday's opening of the festival featured a performance of Kuchipudi, one of India's eight classical dance forms, by dancers from the

October 2, 2024

PHOTOS: UAE heritage showcased on Nami Island

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - The UAE's historical heritage and unique culture were showcased at an event on Nami Island, a small island near Chuncheon, Gangwon Province last week. In cooperation with the UAE Embassy in Korea, the three-day event from Sept. 27 to 29, hosted by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, an educational institution in the Middle Eastern country, aimed to build a cultural bridge between Korea and the UAE, promoting mutual understanding. As part of the event, a scul

October 2, 2024

Octogenarian becomes oldest contestant at beauty pageant in Seoul

SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) - Choi Soon-hwa, the oldest contestant at this year's beauty pageant, narrowly missed winning the crown in Seoul early this week. At 81, she looked exquisite and graceful on stage with her silver hair at the pageant on Monday. Organizers said it was the first time a model of that age participated in the pageant, but Choi proudly stood out among younger rivals in their 20s and 30s. The pageant allows the winner to represent Korea in November's Miss Univ

October 2, 2024