China's Tianzhou-7 cargo craft separates from space station

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - The Tianzhou-7 cargo craft, which is responsible for delivering supplies to China's space station, separated from the station at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday and began its independent flight, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The craft is set to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in a controlled manner. Most of its components will burn up and disintegrate during re-entry, with some debris expected to fall into designated safe waters in the South P

November 12, 2024

China, Singapore to jointly promote economic globalization

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said on Monday that China is ready to strengthen communication with Singapore on key international and regional strategic matters and work together to support economic globalization, as global trade protectionism rises and unilateralism becomes more common. Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made these remarks during a meeting wit

November 12, 2024

Dubai Tram celebrates 10 Years, serving 60 million passengers

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - The Dubai Tram celebrated its 10th anniversary Tuesday, reaching a milestone since it launched in 2014. Over the past decade, it has carried more than 60 million passengers and covered 6 million kilometers, establishing itself as a core part of the transport network in Dubai, one of the biggest cities in the United Arab Emirates. Operating at a 99.9-percent punctuality rate, the tram has earned a reputation for reliability and safety. Its route spans 11 st

November 12, 2024

Israel's far-right minister calls for West Bank annexation with anticipated U.S. political shifts

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Israel's far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has ordered preparations for annexing the occupied West Bank, aiming for progress before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January 2025. Smotrich, also overseeing the West Bank's administration in the Defense Ministry, expects the new U.S. administration to support Israel's push for sovereignty in the region, which he calls "Judea and Samaria." Celebrating Trump

November 12, 2024

North Korea ratifies defense pact with Russia

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - North Korea has ratified a treaty that pledges mutual military support between Moscow and Pyongyang. The "treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership" signed by the isolated country's leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang in June was "ratified as a decree" by Kim, the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency said Tuesday. The defense pact, which vows to provide mutual military assistance i

November 12, 2024

Viet Nam threatens to block Temu, Shein over registration deadline

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Vietnamese authorities warned Chinese e-commerce platforms Temu and Shein they would be blocked if they fail to register their operations by the end of January, Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Nguyen Hoang Long said on Monday. "After our ministry's notification, if these platforms do not comply, we will coordinate with relevant agencies to implement technical measures such as blocking apps and domains," Long said in a statement. Under Viet

November 12, 2024

Japan's Ishiba secures PM role amid minority government challenge

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba secured his position through a rare parliamentary runoff vote with no candidates securing the majority. Ishiba, 67, garnered 221 votes against opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda's 160 in the second round of voting at the House of Representatives on Monday, marking the first such runoff in 30 years after no candidate achieved a majority in the initial ballot. The reelection comes in the wake of the ruling coalitio

November 12, 2024

Japan's controversial Yasukuni shrine vandalized by death symbols

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Tokyo police launched a criminal investigation after vandals inscribed the Japanese kanji character for "death" at two locations on Yasukuni shrine's stone wall, marking the third defacement incident at the controversial site since June, authorities said. The incident discovered on Monday follows earlier vandalism cases where Chinese suspects were identified for spray-painting the word "toilet" in red paint. The shrine, which hon

November 12, 2024

Philippines cuts corporate tax to 20% to boost investment

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed an act Monday reducing corporate tax rates from 25 percent to 20 percent and extending tax incentives for strategic investments from 10 to 27 years. "We have taken a decisive step toward our vision of a globally competitive, investment-driven Philippine economy," Marcos said at the signing ceremony. "Through this law, we aim to attract both domestic and global investments in strategic industri

November 12, 2024

PHOTOS: New waterfront space opens in southern Seoul, offering recreational and eco-friendly amenities

SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - A new waterfront space in Seoul's southern district of Gangnam opened to the public on Monday. Segokcheon, a new multi-purpose complex, developed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, features a waterfront park along with facilities for performances, eco-friendly terraces, and a hillside playground for climbing and other outdoor activities. As part of the city government's broader initiative to transform 76 streams spanning 342 kilometers into leisure and

November 11, 2024