S.Korean Foreign Minister Yu offers resignation

South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan offered to resign Saturday over the ministry's controversial hiring of his daughter, Yonhap News reported on Saturday quoting his office as having said, a day after he offered a public apology amid mounting criticism over allegations of nepotism. "Minister Yu has decided to voluntarily step down as he felt sorry to the people about the trouble the hiring of his daughter has caused," ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun told reporters. President Lee Myung-bak is likely to accept the resignation, an aide said. Yu is the longest-serving Cabinet minister under the current administration, serving in the job since the start of the Lee administration in February 2008. His resignation came during a flurry of diplomacy dealing with North Korea that is showing an increasing willingness to return to the international nuclear talks. It also came about two months ahead of Seoul's hosting of a summit of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies in November. Yu's departure, however, is not expected to affect South Korea's foreign policy and its stance on North Korea. Seoul has urged Pyongyang to display through action that it is serious about giving up its nuclear programs and show a "responsible attitude" over its deadly sinking of a warship in March. Yu's resignation came about a week after Lee's picks for prime minister and two other Cabinet posts gave up their nominations over alleged ethical lapses, such as fake registration of home addresses and real estate speculation. On Friday, Yu apologized after allegations of special favors surfaced over the hiring of his 35-year-old daughter for a mid-level post and said that she would not take the job. Still, Yu contended that the hiring process was fair, but public anger has not subsided.

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UAE economy remains solid, to achieve more growth

Japan slaps additional sanctions against Iran over nuke program

The Minister of Economy Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri said the UAE economy remains robust thanks to the diversification provided for in the wise leadership's economic policies. The UAE economy is capable to achieve a growth rate of 2.5% in 2010, compared to 1.3% last year, while inflation is expected to fall to 1.1% down from 1.56 last year, according to Al-Mansouri in statements in a Ramadan gathering at Mina Salam Hotel, Dubai. The UAE economy weathered the financial crisis thanks to certain measures and incentive reforms which helped minimise the losses, he noted. "The UAE GDP in 2009 reached AED 914.3 billion," Al Mansouri said. "Non-oil sectors accounted for about 71% in the country's 2009 GDP compared to 66.5% in 2008," he added. Industry is expected to account for 20-25% in the UAE's GDP in the years to come, up from 16.2% this year 2010, he noted adding that the Ministry's strategy aims to push up this contribution to 90-9

The Japanese government announced Friday a set of additional sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, including a freeze on the assets of those linked to nuclear development and tighter supervision of financial transactions. The newly introduced sanctions also include restrictions on fresh Japanese investments in oil and gas development projects in Iran, but Tokyo decided not to impose any import restrictions on crude oil. Iran is the third biggest crude oil supplier to Japan. The new punitive measures, approved by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan, are to be unilaterally implemented by Japan in addition to steps announced on Aug. 3 in line with a U.N. Security Council resolution

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Lifestyle may be responsible for our allergies

Bill sent to Obama to permanently authorize RFA broadcasting to N. Korea: lawmaker

Our lifestyle may be the reason behind the increase in cases of food hypersensitivity says a Dubai -based food allergy specialist. "Nowadays we are recognising an increase in patient numbers having food allergies," says Dr Emad Arafa, Allergy and Pulmonology Physician at NMC Specialty Hospital in Dubai. "It might be the changing of our lifestyle that makes us to eat more fast food meals which contain a lot of fried oils and more spicy food that could exacerbate the allergic symptoms for some people. As well as constantly encountering more engineered and processed foods which increase the chances of people being allergic."

The House of Representatives has sent legislation to President Obama to permanently authorize radio broadcasts to bring a message of freedom and democracy to North Korea and several other countries, a congressman said Thursday. The House sent the bill to Obama for his signature Wednesday, the office of Rep. Edward Royce (R-Ca) said in its Web site. "With this legislation, Radio Free Asia can continue to bring its message of freedom, democracy, and respect for the rule of law - creating a space where civil society can flourish under the continent's oppressive regimes. They cannot hide," Royce said in a statement. "This surrogate broadcasting model was critical to inflicting damage to Soviet tyranny and helping to evolve a totalitarian system." Under current law, RFA, founded in 1996, is to shut down in September.

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Qatari Prime Minister: Relations with UAE outstanding

Doha - Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani on Wednesday described the UAE-Qatari relations as unlimited, strategic and outstanding on all levels and see high-level coordination on all common political regional issues. Sheikh Hamad made his remarks as he received the outgoing UAE Ambassador to Qatar and dean of the diplomatic corps Abdul Redha Khouri who made the visit to mark the end of his tenure in Doha. He further thanked the outgoing ambassador for his efforts to further promote ties between the two countries. During the meeting, the outgoing ambassador conveyed to Sheikh Hamad greetings from Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and H.H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs. He further expressed thanks to Qatari for the support he received during his tenure in Doha.

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News Bulletin