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North Korea

North Korea Dynasty Rumors: Is Kim Jong Un's Wife Pregnant?

THE HANKYOREH, KCNA (North Korea), CNN (USA)

Worldcrunch

SEOUL – Rumors are spreading fast that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s wife, Ri Sol Ju, is pregnant.

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published a picture of her wearing a long coat that could be hiding an imperial baby bump. Ri Sol Ju was pictured with her husband at a soccer match and music performance in Pyongyang – her first public appearance in more than 50 days.

Wait a minute…did Ri Sol-Ju just pull a Houdini? bit.ly/XQQpKJ via @hermionekitson #tenlate

— Ten Late News (@TenLateNews) October 30, 2012

This is how the state-run news agency reported it: "Marshall Kim Jong-un, the supreme leader of the party and the people, came to the spectators' seats, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju. At that moment, thunderous applause broke out."

[rebelmouse-image 27085966 alt="""" original_size="320x238" expand=1]

What do you see? (source Wikimedia)

In the two photographs that were released, she is seen wearing a long beige overcoat, an outfit commonly worn by pregnant women in cold weather, North Korea’s The Hankyoreh writes.

Is Mrs. Kim Jong Un pregnant? Compare Aug. 30 & Oct. 29 photos from KCNA in #DPRK: twitter.com/W7VOA/status/2…

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) October 30, 2012

Speculation started -- especially in South Korean media -- as to whether North Korea’s first lady is pregnant or whether she was kept out of the public eye as a disciplinary measure for a perceived slight. Local media has claimed she may have fallen out of favor for not wearing a lapel pin of the former leaders, according to CNN.

North Korea’s leader, by announcing Ri Sol Ju as his wife and having her accompany him on many public engagements, has shown a far more open public personality than his late father, Kim Jong Il.

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Geopolitics

The Brave Return Of Syria's Opposition Sends Assad Running Back To Russia And Iran

Syria is positioned to return to the geopolitical fold in the Arab world, but the political structure inside the country is still fractured, facing protests from its citizens and the need to call in the Russian air force and Iranian backers.

Photograph of Syrians taking part in a demonstration against the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime

August 25, Idlib: Syrians take part in a demonstration against the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime

Anas Alkharboutli/ZUMA
Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — When a country drops off from the news radar, it doesn't necessarily mean that all is fine. Syria made headlines for years with the brutal repression of the 2011 uprising and the war against the Islamic State; nowadays, it's hardly mentioned anymore, even if the state of the country is still dire.

Yet over the past few weeks, a new rumbling of reports about the Syrian situation has begun. In the southern part of the country, major demonstrations began in the city of Suweida, initially against rising fuel prices before evolving into more political protests. The protests spread to the city of Daraa, where the 2011 revolution had originally begun, as well as other localities. Among the popular demands were questions about the fate of those who've disappeared over the last decade, a pressing issue for millions of Syrians.

Videos that have circulated show significant sized crowds, reminiscent of the scenes from the early days of the 2011 uprising during the "Arab Spring." Considering the repression that followed, it is impressive to once again see the population taking to the streets to defend their rights, facing a regime that has shown it will not hesitate to brutally suppress them.

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