North Korea Releases Song Praising Leader Kim as ‘Friendly Father’ 

This picture taken on April 16, 2024 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on April 17, 2024 shows North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (C) taking part in a ceremony to mark the completion of the second phase of a 10,000-unit housing development in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)
This picture taken on April 16, 2024 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on April 17, 2024 shows North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (C) taking part in a ceremony to mark the completion of the second phase of a 10,000-unit housing development in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)
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North Korea Releases Song Praising Leader Kim as ‘Friendly Father’ 

This picture taken on April 16, 2024 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on April 17, 2024 shows North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (C) taking part in a ceremony to mark the completion of the second phase of a 10,000-unit housing development in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)
This picture taken on April 16, 2024 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on April 17, 2024 shows North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (C) taking part in a ceremony to mark the completion of the second phase of a 10,000-unit housing development in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)

North Korea has released a new song praising leader Kim Jong Un for being a "friendly father" and a "great leader", in a move that appears to be part of a propaganda drive to enhance his standing in the reclusive state.

The music video for the song was aired on the state-controlled Korean Central Television on Wednesday.

It features North Koreans of different backgrounds ranging from children to troops and medical staff exuberantly belting out lines such as: "Let's sing, Kim Jong Un the great leader" and "Let's brag about Kim Jong Un, a friendly father".

A live performance of the song accompanied by an orchestra and watched by Kim was also broadcast on state television as part of a ceremony to mark the completion of building 10,000 new homes.

The Kim family dynasty that has ruled North Korea since its founding after World War Two have sought to strengthen their grip on power by building cults of personality around them.

The release of the upbeat song titled "Friendly Father" comes at a time when North Korean state media has recently changed the name it uses for a public holiday, prompting speculation that the move is part of efforts to solidify Kim's position.

Instead of calling the annual public holiday celebrating the birth of the country's founder Kim Il Sung "Day of the Sun", state media has started mostly referring to it as the more neutral "April holiday".

Such changes might be part of an effort by Kim to stand on his own feet without relying on his predecessors, an official at South Korea's Unification Ministry said.



Coffee Overtaking Tea Culture in the UK

“Fancy a brew?” is no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK (Getty)
“Fancy a brew?” is no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK (Getty)
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Coffee Overtaking Tea Culture in the UK

“Fancy a brew?” is no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK (Getty)
“Fancy a brew?” is no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK (Getty)

Discover the hidden gem of the UK's coffee culture, where vibrant independent cafes outshine the chains, offering a unique blend of flavors and atmospheres.

“Fancy a brew?” “I'll put the kettle on then.” Hearing those words are no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK, The Daily Express newspaper reported on Monday.

It said grabbing a coffee either on the go or at a café is as part of British culture these days as it is in Italy.

But while every person has its favorite chain, be it Pret, Starbucks, Costa or Cafe Nero, nothing beats finding a decent independent coffee shop one can call home especially when it can seem high streets are dominated by the same chains.

So with the demand for coffee only growing, where is the best spot in the UK to find an independent coffee shop?

A study by Reviva Coffee reveals the UK city that is the hidden gem when it comes to thriving coffee culture.

And it probably isn't where you'd expect. In fact this county is synonymous with tea. Yorkshire Tea, to be precise.

However the study discovered the best UK city to find independent coffee shops is in the Yorkshire city of Leeds. It has a staggering 584 coffee shops, of which 86.3% are independent, and just under 14% are chains.

Placing second is Edinburgh. Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or just needing a cosy pit stop, Edinburgh has you covered with its outstanding coffee scene with 560 shops, 85% of which are independents.

In third for best UK cities for independent coffee shops is Bristol which has 347 coffee shops, 86.3% of which are independent.