BRUSSELS ― For seasoned observers of Europe’s economy, the most recent European Union summit delivered a bizarre sense of dj vu. Little more than a decade ago, European leaders announced to great fanfare the “Lisbon Agenda,” a policy blueprint to make Europe “the most competitive, knowledge-based economy in the world.” The new “Competitiveness Pact,” proposed at the EU summit by France and German...

BMW Korea has unveiled new X3 (Yonhap News) BMW Korea has unveiled new X3 (Yonhap News) BMW Korea has unveiled new X3 (Yonhap News) BMW Korea, the South Korean unit of German automaker BMW Group, on Thursday introduced the latest version of the BMW X3 in South Korea. BMW Korea said the New X3 is a "sport activity vehicle" that offers the comfort and driving experience of a sedan, but is perfe...

Around 650 buyers and press members, far more than the expected 250, gathered at the Lincoln Center in New York on Tuesday for the presentation of “Concept Korea III,” a Korean government-led fashion project. Subtitled “Cultural Treasures 2011,” the show was held at the David Rubenstein Atrium in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts during the city’s semi-annual Fashion Week from Feb. 10 t...

Elevated liver enzyme is one of the most common situations encountered by general practitioners in their clinics. Basically, elevated liver enzyme results indicate that liver cells are damaged. Liver enzymes are normally contained within the liver cells, and the enzymes leak out into the blood stream only when there is damage to the liver. A variety of liver conditions can cause this situation, f...

If you have decided to quit smoking and are searching for the best way to reach your goal, you might want to add acupuncture to your list. From electronic cigarettes and patches providing an extremely small amount of nicotine to the body to varenicline-based nicotine addiction buster Champix, many smokers must have tried several things to quit the habit. Acupuncture is arguably the latest and al...

It's a North Korean version of Christmas, with Kim Jong Il playing Santa Claus. In past years, the authoritarian leader has celebrated his birthday by handing out gifts ranging from rice to Rolexes, an annual attempt to buy loyalty and stability. As Kim celebrates his 69th birthday Wednesday, however, the gift baskets may be lighter and knockoff Gucci could replace the real thing. People are ce...

The government is reportedly looking over a draft of a U.N. report stating that freedom of expression in South Korea has been restricted and that the government should make efforts to guarantee it once again. The administration, unlike in previous moves, is expected to make no official response in the near future. United Nations headquarters(AP/Frank Franklin II) According to the Yonhap news a...

Lady Gaga arrives for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on February 13, 2011.(MCT) Lady Gaga said she spent three days inside the egg at the Jay Leno's show. (MCT) Lady Gaga performs at the 2011 Grammy Awards show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on February 13, 2011. (MCT) Lady Gaga said Willow Smith inspired her hair whip perf...

South Korea's financial regulator on Thursday suspended operations of the country's biggest savings bank and one of its affiliates due to capital shortages triggered by mounting insolvent construction project financing (PF) loans. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) said it suspended Busan Savings Bank, the top savings bank by assets based in the port city of Busan, and its affiliate Daejeon...

WASHINGTON -- North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles pose a serious threat to the United States, the chief U.S. intelligence official said Wednesday. North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and his son Jong-un attend a ceremony marking the 65th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party in Pyongyang on Oct. 10. (Yonhap News) "North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs also pose a ...

HTC Corp. may introduce larger tablet computers than the 7-inch screen “Flyer” device that the Taiwanese company unveiled Tuesday to challenge the dominance of Apple Inc.’s iPad. “We’re working on several form factors,” HTC Chief Executive Officer Peter Chou said on the sidelines at an industry conference in Barcelona Tuesday when asked whether the company may offer bigger tablets. Sales from ta...

NEW YORK, (AFP) - A teenaged Somali pirate captured in a dramatic high seas operation was sentenced by a US court Wednesday to nearly 34 years in prison, despite defense pleas for leniency due to his young age. Federal Judge Loretta Preska in New York said the sentence of 33 years, nine months for Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse would serve as "general deterrence in this kind of crime." Muse was captu...