What You Need To Know Today

France, Germany and the Netherlands: The elections that could derail the EU in 2017

After Brexit rattled the European Union in 2016, a string of high-stakes elections in France, Germany and the Netherlands – along with possibly Italy – could bring even greater uncertainty to the bloc in the year to come.

People kindle light of hope for 2017

 

By Kim Bo-eun

 

The year 2016 will go down in history as the year of the "candlelight revolution" that ignited a drive to unseat President Park Geun-hye and make Korea a more democratic nation. Despite the people's disappointment with the scandalous Park administration, hopes abound for the New Year.

 

Global Press Freedom Has Taken An ‘Unbelievable’ Hit This Year

At least 53 journalists have been murdered in 2016 for doing their jobs.

Thus far in 2016, 57 journalists have been killed in connection with their work, 187 remain imprisoned and 44 are currently being held hostage, according to the organization’s latest December tallies. These figures represent professional journalists only. When including media netizens and citizen reporters, the numbers of those slain, detained and held for ransom climb to at least 74, 348 and 52, respectively.

FamilyMart compensates family of ex-franchise employee who died from overwork

Convenience store operator FamilyMart Co. has agreed to pay out a 43 million yen settlement to the bereaved family of a man who died from working excessive overtime at a franchise store in the city of Daito in Osaka Prefecture.

Commission clears draft expanding Erdogan's power

Draft constitutional amendments will abolish prime minister's post to hand full executive powers to the presidency.

A Turkish parliamentary commission has approved draft constitutional amendments that introduce a new executive presidential system, giving President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more powers.