MINAMISOMA, Japan (AP) – The ashes of half a dozen unidentified laborers ended up at a Buddhist temple in this town just north of the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant. Some of the dead men had no papers, others left no emergency contacts. Their names could not be confirmed and no family members had been tracked down to claim their remains.They were simply labeled ``decontamination troops'' – unknown soldiers in Japan's massive cleanup campaign to make Fukushima livable again five years after rad

World News March 10, 2016

SAO PAULO (AFP) -- Brazilian state prosecutors on Wednesday filed money laundering charges against ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a dramatic twist to an anti-corruption battle threatening to bring down the government.The indictment against the hugely influential leftist leader alleges that he hid ownership of a luxury triplex apartment at a seaside resort in Sao Paulo state, a source in the Sao Paulo prosecutor‘s Office said.“He is accused of hiding property in relation to the triplex

World News March 10, 2016

In the Netflix sci-fi series “Sense 8,” actress Bae Doo-na plays Sun Bak, vice president of a Seoul-based firm by day and an underground kickboxer by night. Bak is one of the toughest characters Bae has played in her prolific 17-year acting career. This is also the most widely watched series she has been in. “I heard season one ranked as the most popular show in every region from North and South Americas to Europe. I was thrilled to learn that,” said Bae, who was speaking to The Korea Herald whi

Film March 1, 2016

Shen Yun Performing Arts, a New York-based Chinese dance company that was scheduled to perform at Seoul‘s KBS Hall from May 6-8, claims that the Chinese government had a hand in the cancellation of its upcoming Seoul show.  “KBS canceled the rental contract (with us), citing an illogical reason, and we soon found out it was not its voluntary decision, but because of pressure from the Chinese Embassy,” said Lee Chang-sik, head of New Cosmos Media, in charge of promoting and marketing Shen Yun Per

Performance March 1, 2016

North Korea on Tuesday strongly denounced the upcoming joint military exercise between Seoul and Washington, warning a "pre-emptive strike" against any attempt to collapse the Kim Jong-un regime.South Korea and the United States plan to conduct their largest-ever military drill next month at a time of heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula following Pyongyang's recent nuclear test and long-range missile launch.  North Korean anchor delivers the North Korean regime’s warning against the upcom

North Korea Feb. 23, 2016

LONDON (AFP) -- Prime Minister David Cameron warned Monday that a vote to leave the EU would risk Britain‘s economic and national security, as uncertainty over the outcome of the June referendum sent the pound plunging.In a speech to the House of Commons, the Conservative leader launched a barely-veiled attack on London Mayor Boris Johnson, his long-term rival who has come out for Britain exiting the EU -- a Brexit -- accusing him of taking the position for political gain.Johnson challenged the

World News Feb. 23, 2016

BEIRUT (AFP) -- A landmark truce is to take effect in Syria on Saturday, the United States and Russia announced, but the “cessation of hostilities” does not include the Islamic State and Al-Nusra Front, the main jihadist factions.The leading opposition group in the five-year conflict gave its conditional acceptance to Monday‘s announcement, but Israel said it was skeptical the deal would hold, and analysts warned any pause in the fighting would be dependent on Russia, Iran and President Bashar a

World News Feb. 23, 2016

Nighttime at a royal palace in Seoul reveals the beauty of Joseon-era architecture and unique contrast between the centuries-old landscape and modern skyscrapers outside the walls. Thanks to the growing number of visitors wishing to be immersed in the magical night view, royal palaces will remain open in the evening more frequently than it did last year. The state-run Cultural Heritage Administration, which manages public programs at royal palaces, announced it would increase the late-night open

Culture Feb. 17, 2016

The fast pace and wide reach of social media is a source of inspiration for artist Lee Ye-seung. Social networks allow people to exchange information and ideas with people they have never met in person and expose content to a large number of people.Mirroring this interconnectedness, Lee came up with interactive kinetic media installations that operate on signals they receive from adjoining installations as well as the movements of viewers. They are on view at the Artside Gallery in Tongui-dong,

Performance Feb. 15, 2016