China to outline measures to strengthen property sector  

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - China is set to hold a press conference on Thursday to present new efforts aimed at supporting the property sector. Senior officials from multiple departments, including the minister of housing and urban-rural development, will introduce measures designed to promote a stable and healthy real estate market. These latest moves to stabilize the property market follow a series of monetary and fiscal policies recently introduced, signaling that the Chinese gov

October 17, 2024

China completes two successful orbital launches within 12 hours  

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - China successfully launched 18 communication satellites and a remote sensing satellite into orbit in two separate missions on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning in the span of 12 hours. Space experts view this achievement as a reflection of China's advancing capabilities in space technology and applications. The Gaofen-12 05 satellite was launched Wednesday morning aboard a Long March-4C rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest

October 17, 2024

China rebukes Japan's proposal for 'Asian NATO'

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Beijing criticized Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's suggestion to establish a NATO-like security alliance in Asia, urging Tokyo to exercise caution in its security policies. The proposal, which Ishiba described as "essential to deter China," was unveiled in a commentary for a U.S. think tank shortly before he assumed office on Oct. 1. Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Tuesday that Japan has "hyped up a non-exis

October 16, 2024

Indian passenger flight to Singapore faces bomb threat

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - An Air India Express passenger flight heading to Singapore received a bomb threat shortly after takeoff, prompting the deployment of fighter jets for escort. Air India Express received an email indicating a bomb was on board its plane departing from Madurai in southern India for Singapore on Tuesday. In response, the Singapore Air Force dispatched two fighter jets to escort the passenger plane. The plane circled for about an hour before landing at

October 16, 2024

Hezbollah leader calls for ceasefire, threatens further rocket strikes

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Hezbollah's acting leader, Naim Qassem, warned that the group will target more areas in Israel with rocket attacks unless the Israeli government stops its air strikes and ground invasion of Lebanon. In a live speech on Tuesday, Qassem stated that the solution is a ceasefire, emphasizing that Hezbollah would not be defeated despite ongoing bombardments and leadership losses. He also signaled plans to escalate attacks further into southern Israel. Qassem

October 16, 2024

Chinese peacekeeping units in Lebanon safe amid rising tensions

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Chinese peacekeeping troops in Lebanon are currently safe, according to China's Ministry of National Defense on Tuesday. The ministry is closely monitoring the situation and will take further actions to enhance the security of Chinese forces if needed, a spokesperson said. China strongly condemned the Israeli military's recent attack on UNIFIL, stressing the need for a full investigation and accountability. The spokesperson, Wu Qian, reiterated Chin

October 16, 2024

China unveils long-term space development program

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - China introduced on Tuesday its first national-level program for medium- to long-term space science development on Tuesday. This program will guide the country's space science missions and research from 2024 to 2050, with plans to conduct manned lunar exploration by 2027. It also sets the goal of making China a global leader in space science by 2050. The program, released by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the China National Space Administration

October 16, 2024

Month-long strike at Samsung's Indian factory ends with welfare agreement

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Workers at Samsung Electronics' factory in Tamil Nadu, southern India, have ended a month-long strike over wages and working conditions after agreeing to welfare measures, the state's industry minister said Tuesday. "The strike at the Samsung factory has come to an end, and all the workers are resuming work,” T.R.B. Rajaa, the state's industry minister, said Tuesday. Since Sept. 9, hundreds of Samsung employees had participated in

October 16, 2024

UAE's nationwide campaign brings vital aid to Lebanon

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The UAE will organize a second round of aid collection events for Lebanon this weekend, following a positive response to the first week of its humanitarian campaign. Events will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah on Saturday and at Dubai Exhibition Centre on Sunday. The UAE Stands With Lebanon initiative has raised over Dh110 million ($30 million) since its launch. Last weekend, thousands participated in events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, packing 450 tonnes of esse

October 16, 2024

Lee Kuan Yew's house faces demolition debate as family dispute resurfaces

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The former residence of Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, is once again at the center of a debate over preservation versus demolition. Lee Hsien Yang, the late prime minister's younger son, announced on Tuesday via Facebook his intention to apply for demolition permits. "It is my duty to carry out my father's wishes within the limits of the law," he wrote. The house at 38 Oxley Road, built in the late 1890s and occupied

October 16, 2024