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Up to 4 new duty-free shops to be permitted in Seoul

The South Korean government will announce as many as four local retailers that will be allowed to open new duty-free shops in Seoul next week in a bid to meet the growing demand from Chinese tourists, government sources said Thursday.

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Battle for HK viewers heats up as ATV fades from the screen

Internet players and pay TV operators compete to lure audiences, but critics say the days of audiences paying subscription fees are numbered

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"We are united," free hugs offered for Belgium

A day after terrorist attacks hit Brussels, an event called "free hugs for Belgium" was launched on Wednesday at the city's Place de la Bourse to pay tribute to the victims in the blasts.

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New York transforms more payphone kiosks into world's fastest free Wi-Fi hotspots

New York City has mounted a connectivity campaign that is designed to bring about more booths with ultra-fast Wi-Fi hotspots and other connectivity features across the metropolis, said LinkNYC General Manager Jen Hensley Monday.

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New app helps Aussies to use mobile phone as "live" TV

Australians will soon have the ability to live stream free-to-air (FTA) television, thanks to a "world first" app being developed by TV aggregator Freeview.

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China's resort island duty-free sales rise during Spring Festival

​The popular holiday island of Hainan in southern China sold 321,300 offshore duty-free items, worth 340 million yuan (52.1 million U.S. dollars), during the week-long Spring Festival holiday, according to customs sources.

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West Africa still on alert as new cases emerge after "Ebola-free"

​A death from Ebola was confirmed Friday in Sierra Leone hours after the World Health Organization declared an end to the deadly virus in West Africa.

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Putin signs decree suspending free trade deal with Kiev from Jan. 1

​Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a decree to suspend Russia's free trade deal with Ukraine from Jan. 1, 2016, the same day when Kiev's free trade regime with the European Union (EU) becomes effective.

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Three pillars of to-be-formed ASEAN Community

The ASEAN Community will officially take shape on December 31 this year with three pillars: the Political-Security Community, the Economic Community and the Socio-Cultural Community.

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Stay alert against over-politicization of global free trade

​For centuries, free trade, both as a theory and as a practice, has been widely accepted as a powerful tool for nations worldwide to grow their wealth.

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Free WiFi for major transport nodes in Singapore by 2020

Commuters in Singapore can connect to free WiFi at 33 Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations, and the free WiFi service will cover all station platforms by 2020.

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Ukraine objects to further delay of trade deal with EU

​Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk said Thursday that Kiev will not agree to further delay implementing the Association Agreement with the European Union (EU) , which includes a comprehensive free trade deal, despite concerns raised by Russia.

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China's free trade zone fever spawns more regional hopefuls

Regional delegates to China's annual parliamentary session are pushing to have their jurisdictions included into the country's next batch of free trade zones after three new zones were approved in December.

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HK youth program promotes smoke-free living in community

​An award presentation ceremony of the 2014-15 Smoke-free Youth Ambassador Leadership Training Program was held here on Tuesday, to commend the outstanding youngsters who have promoted a healthy smoke-free living atmosphere in the community.

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French Muslims call for respect without abusing freedom of speech

As France is still grappling with the pains that came with the horrendous attacks earlier this month, Muslims living in the country find themselves increasingly misunderstood amid an outpouring sentiment for free speech.

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Australia, India move closer to FTA deal

Australia and India are edging ever closer to a historic free trade agreement, according to Australian trade and investment minister Andrew Robb.

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Sun Yang under fire, new stars emerge in Chinese swimming

​China's double Olympic champion Sun Yang has been under fire since the news broke that he had served a doping ban earlier this year.