Trade

From left, Kim Chang-beom, former Korean ambassador to Indonesia, moderates a panel discussion at the Korea-Asean RCEP Forum at the Westin Josun Seoul on Tuesday, as Cambodian Ambassador to Korea Chring Botumrangsay, Indonesian Ambassador Gandi Sulistiyanto, the Philippines Ambassador Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Singapore’s Deputy Chief of Mission Adrian Li, Thai Ambassador Witchu Vejjajiva and Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung share their respective governments’ views on RCEP and expectations for its implications on trade relations with Korea. [PARK SANG-MOON] Diplomats from six Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries emphasized that their trade pact will be beneficial for all 15 members at the Korea-Asean RCEP Forum, with Korea positive about joining more trade agreements with Asean countries. "As a small country, our trade is still minimal and RCEP will open up more opportunities for us to reach into the supply chain and provide trading of goods … [Read more...] about RCEP diplomats emphasize benefits of trade pact

From front row left, the Philippines Ambassador to Korea Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega; Brunei Ambassador Pg Hjh Nooriyah Plw Pg Hj Yussof; National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug; Cambodian Ambassador Chring Botumrangsay; Myanmar Ambassador Thant Sin; and Singapore’s Deputy Chief of Mission Adrian Li attend the Korea-Asean RCEP Forum at the Westin Josun Seoul on Tuesday. From second row left, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s Deputy Minister for Trade Negotiation Chun Yoon-jong; the Korea JoongAng Daily CEO Cheong Chul-gun; Indonesian Ambassador Gandi Sulistiyanto; Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung; former Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Chang-beom; and Thai Ambassador Witchu Vejjajiva attend the forum. [PARK SANG-MOON] The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is more than just a multilateral trade deal, according to a number of Asean diplomats speaking at a forum on Tuesday. They said the RCEP will not only strengthen alliances and cooperation within … [Read more...] about RCEP is more than just a multilateral trade deal: diplomats

Scientists have created a battery -like device that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) from the surrounding atmosphere while it charges. The supercapacitor, developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge, is around the size of a two-pence coin and can be built using low-cost and sustainable materials like coconut shells and seawater. It is hoped the device can be used to power carbon capture technologies, which currently require huge amounts of energy and are costly to operate. The supercapacitor is similar to a rechargeable battery, but rather than using chemical reactions to store and release charge it relies instead on the movement of electrons between electrodes. It is made up of two electrodes, one positively charged and the other negatively charged. By alternating from a postive to a negative voltage, the researchers were able to significantly improve the amount of CO2 it was able to capture. Recommended World record achieved for solar power … [Read more...] about Breakthrough battery device absorbs C02 while it charges

Russia’s chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky confirmed a news report that “several long conversations” took place on Friday with the head of Ukraine’s delegation at the peace talks between the two countries but gave no further details. Russia said Friday it would fight to take control over all east and south of Ukraine, but Kyiv pledged to save the country, as the UN documented dozens of civilians killed in one town. Authorities in two eastern Ukrainian regions said Saturday that fighting with Russian forces was "fierce", as hope fades for a truce over Orthodox Easter weekend.Russia’s chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky confirmed a news report that “several long conversations” took place on Friday with the head of Ukraine’s delegation at the peace talks between the two countries but gave no further details. Russia said Friday it would fight to take control over all east and south of Ukraine, but Kyiv pledged to save the country, as the UN documented dozens of civilians killed in … [Read more...] about Russia-Ukraine crisis updates | April 24, 2022

MANILA (AP): Outgoing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (pic) sharply criticised Russian leader Vladimir Putin for the killings of innocent civilians in Ukraine, saying while the two of them have been tagged as killers, "I kill criminals, I don’t kill children and the elderly.” Duterte, who openly calls Putin an idol and a friend, voiced his rebuke for the first time over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in remarks aired Tuesday (May 24) where he blamed the three-month old war for the spike in global oil prices that has battered many countries, including the Philippines. While stressing he was not condemning the Russian president, Duterte disagreed with Putin’s labelling of the invasion as a "special military operation,” and said it was really a full-scale war waged against "a sovereign nation.” "Many say that Putin and I are both killers. I’ve long told you Filipinos that I really kill. But I kill criminals, I don’t kill children and the elderly,” Duterte said in a televised … [Read more...] about ‘I kill criminals, not children and elders’: Duterte hits out at Putin

Previously known as Empire day, Commonwealth Day is celebrated by the collection of 54 commonwealth countries every year. It is marked on the second Monday of May in most of these countries but in India and a few more, it is observed on May 24. These 54 countries unite together for various common goals. The day is observed in all the nations that were once under the reign of the British Empire. The primary objectives of the commonwealth are to share the goals of its members like trade and economy, develop societies in gender education, health, and sports, hand support to each other in economic matters, and safeguard the environment. Commonwealth Day: Theme Every year the day is celebrated under a particular theme, and this year, the theme for Commonwealth Day 2022 is ‘Delivering a Common Future’. This year’s theme highlights the innovation, connection, and transformation of 54 nations in the Commonwealth family, in a bid to achieve goals, including climatic changes, promoting … [Read more...] about Commonwealth Day 2022: Theme, History and Significance

Ambassadors and diplomats of the Asean member states, as well as corporate executives and ASEAN experts attend the Korea-ASEAN RCEP Forum at the Westin Josun Seoul on Tuesday. [PARK SANG-MOON] Ambassadors and executives that attended the Korea JoongAng Daily’s Tuesday forum described the event as “stimulating” and “timely.” The Korea JoongAng Daily held a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) forum at the Westin Josun Seoul in central Seoul. Ambassadors from the RCEP member countries and executives from companies conducting business in them attended the event. “I think this forum is a very good opportunity [for] public and business sectors to gain a first-hand understanding of RCEP,” said Chring Botumrangsay, Ambassador of Cambodia to Korea. “Through events such as this, we can share information about the agreement and showcase the concepts of free trade and regional cooperation behind it." She described the RCEP as being meant to “open up our country, which has … [Read more...] about Forum focusing on Asean was a first

Yeom Jae-ho The author is a professor emeritus and former president of Korea University. In the presidential race, which was marred by negative campaigning, Yoon Suk-yeol from the opposition People Power Party (PPP) defeated Lee Jae-myung from the ruling Democratic Party (DP) by a 0.73 percent margin. Yoon got 247,077 more votes than Lee in the election. The gap was smaller than the 307,542 votes that were declared invalid. After the frustrating loss, the DP established an emergency committee led by floor leader Yoon Ho-joong and Park Ji-hyun, a 26-year old activist on a crusade to eradicate digital sex crimes, to help reenergize the party. Before and after the election, President Moon Jae-in enjoyed approval ratings hovering above 40 percent for 11 consecutive weeks, and DP candidate Lee dominated other contestants in personal appeal. In terms of strength, the PPP was the underdog as inferred by the shabby number of seats it has in the National Assembly (35.9 percent vs. 58.3 … [Read more...] about Common sense matters

The drama surrounding Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns has gotten worse! Adam Schefter reported Monday that the former first overall pick won’t be at OTAs as the Browns continue to search for a team to take him. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football) Cleveland QB Baker Mayfield will not be attending the Browns’ voluntary OTA’s that open Tuesday, as expected. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 23, 2022 Once again, the drama between the Browns and Mayfield seems to be getting worse. Now, it’s worth noting that there’s no upside to Mayfield attending OTAs. His time as the face of the franchise is over, and putting him on the field is only going to be a distraction for everyone involved. Baker Mayfield’s Status In The NFL Hits An Embarrassing New Low https://t.co/OEUCzygkU2 — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 18, 2022 Having said that, this situation should never have gotten to this … [Read more...] about REPORT: Cleveland Browns Quarterback Baker Mayfield Won’t Attend OTAs

This live blog is now closed. For the latest updates please check here . Russia has opened a long-anticipated new phase of the war in Ukraine , launching its eastern offensive in a bid to seize the country's industrial heartland. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed the move Tuesday , saying the Kremlin's goal was to achieve the “full liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics,” which together make up the Donbas region. The full-scale assault on Ukraine's east came as the last fighters in Mariupol, the besieged port city that is crucial to Moscow's goals, continued to hold out despite a new Russian deadline to surrender. It also followed Russian strikes across the country, hitting supply lines and military infrastructure and killing at least seven people in the western city of Lviv . The United States is expected to announce another package of military aid, which is expected to be similar in size to the $800 million one the administration … [Read more...] about Moscow launches a new phase of the conflict