Korean Temple to Return Stolen Buddhist Statue to Japan
A Korean temple has confirmed its decision to return a stolen Buddhist statue to a Japanese temple, with the condition that a ceremonial event is held in Korea beforehand. Buseoksa Temple, located in Chungcheongnam-do, announced on December 25 that it would host a 100-day ceremony for the statue from March to May next year before […]
Japan and China Aim to Strengthen Diplomatic Engagement
On December 25, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya became the first Japanese foreign minister to visit China in nearly 20 months. During the visit, Iwaya announced plans to ease visa requirements for Chinese tourists and emphasized the importance of enhancing high-level dialogue between the two nations. In discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister […]
Dubai Metro Extends Operating Hours for New Year’s Eve and Holiday Travelers
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced an extension of Dubai Metro’s operating hours from December 28 to 30, 2024. This move aims to ensure safe and efficient transportation for passengers traveling to and from Dubai International Airport during the holiday season. During this period, extended hours will apply to services between the Centrepoint […]
Acting President Choi Vows to Restore Stability Amid Political Turmoil
Acting President Choi Sang-mok pledged on Friday to prioritize stabilizing state affairs amid political turmoil following the brief imposition of martial law earlier this month. In a written statement, he highlighted the government’s commitment to minimizing disruption and maintaining order. “The government is dedicated to ensuring national stability,” Choi said, while apologizing for his role […]
Another Impeachment, Another New Acting President for South Korea
South Korea’s political landscape took another dramatic turn on Friday as the opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Han, who had been serving as the acting president following the earlier impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, is now the second top official to face such measures in recent months. With Han’s impeachment, Minister […]
Estonia and Lithuania Urge NATO to Safeguard Baltic Sea Infrastructure
Estonia and Lithuania have called on NATO to enhance maritime security following damage to the EstLink 2 undersea cable connecting Estonia and Finland. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal urged NATO to deploy a “deterrence fleet” to bolster regional security. The incident follows the severing of a communications cable between Lithuania and Sweden in the Baltic […]
Sri Lanka Celebrates Milestone of Two Million Tourists in 2024
Sri Lanka welcomed its two millionth international visitor of 2024 yesterday (December 26), marking a significant milestone for the country’s tourism sector. Deputy Tourism Minister, Professor Ruwan Ranasinghe, announced that a special ceremony was organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake to celebrate the occasion. […]
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Energy Pledges Affordable Energy Solutions and Focus on Renewables
Sri Lanka, burdened with the highest energy costs in the region, is set to undergo a transformation in its energy sector under the leadership of the new government. Minister of Energy, Engineer Kumara Jayakody, has emphasized the government’s commitment to making energy more affordable while paving the way for renewable energy development. Speaking at a […]
Chaos in Mozambique: Deadly prison riot
A violent prison riot in Mozambique’s capital claimed 33 lives and injured 15, with 1,534 inmates escaping on Wednesday. General Commander Bernardino Rafael confirmed that police have so far recaptured 150 of the escapees.
Christmas in Gaza
Hundreds of people gathered at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on Tuesday to mark Christmas, even though the celebrations were subdued due to the ongoing war in Gaza. For the second year in a row, the usual festive decorations were absent, and the crowd was much smaller compared to the past years. In […]
