China\, Korea celebrate Lunar New Year; and other news in pictures

China, Korea celebrate Lunar New Year; and other news in pictures

A man walks past prayer ribbons wishing for reunification of the two Koreas on the wire fence at the Imjingak Pavilion, near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating South and North Korea during a Lunar New Year day, at the Imjingak, near the demilitarized zone on February 5, 2019 in Paju, South Korea.

A man walks past prayer ribbons wishing for reunification of the two Koreas on the wire fence at the Imjingak Pavilion, near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating South and North Korea during a Lunar New Year day, at the Imjingak, near the demilitarized zone on February 5, 2019 in Paju, South Korea.   | Photo Credit: AP

more-in

 

9:00 a.m.

Lunar New Year

It's that time of the year when Korean people travel from large cities to their hometowns for the Lunar New Year holidays to pay respect to the spirits of their ancestors.

In China there is an officially shut down for a week as the nation bade farewell to the ‘Year of the Dog’ on Monday and prepared to welcome the ‘Year of the Pig’ on Tuesday, marking a new year in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year is the grandest festival in China, with a seven-day holiday.

8:00 am

Japan, Germany want to curb Brexit’s global economic impact

German Chancellor Angela Merkel gestures during a talk with students at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel gestures during a talk with students at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan.   | Photo Credit: REUTERS

 

The leaders of Germany and Japan said they will try to minimize the global economic impact from Britain’s upcoming departure from the European Union and pledged to defend free trade in the face of rising protectionism. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Britain to avoid a no-deal Brexit.

Last Friday, Japan and the EU ushered in a landmark trade deal that creates one of the world’s largest free trade areas. Combined, the two sides account for almost a third of the world’s economy.

 

(With inputs from agencies)

Next Story