China
As China prospers, residents increasingly demand more rights, freedoms
China's economic prosperity has opened the world to its people. But that openness has meant many of them are demanding the rights and freedoms they see residents of other successful countries enjoying. But so far, the Communist Party has been slow to offer up reforms, despite the people's demands.
China's economy at crossroads between freer enterprise, state control
China's been on a road to greater economic freedom for decades. But as the country seeks to move from developing world to developed world, the pressure is on the move state enterprises out of key economic sectors and let the private sector play a greater role in fueling the country's economic growth.
Chinese land reform efforts move ahead with more fits than starts
China's rural economy is at a cross-roads. As the government begins reforms designed to give farmers ownership of that land, that effort is running into the cold reality that land sales back the spending of local governments. And that can only happen when farmers land is taken for little compensation.
China's hukou system puts migrant workers at severe economic disadvantage
In China, social benefits are tied to where you live. And they vary widely from urban to rural areas. But as more Chinese decide to abandon their farms and move to cities, this system of denying them benefits in their new homes is proving problematic -- and possibly untenable.
China's one-child policy increasingly being questioned
Decades ago, China decided it had too many people and instituted a policy that allowed most couples just one child. While the policy has been loosened some, it's still largely in place. But many hope that as more people question the morality of the policy, it will be rescinded entirely.
South Korea backs off speculation that North preparing for nuke test, but tensions remain
Monday morning brought with it speculation that North Korea might be preparing another nuclear test, which would be an escalation of an already tense situation. But by afternoon, South Korean officials walked back that idea. But tensions remain high.
Magicians face rash of trickster thieves
Magicians rely on secrets to keep on doing their tricks. And, in some cases, they rely on secrecy to be able to afford to do their magic over the long-haul. But, there's no legal protections, really, for most magicians secrets. And that means ripoffs and knock-offs are increasingly common.
North Korea rages over U.S.-South Korea military exercise
Tensions on the Korean peninsula are running high, with North Korea vowing to take pre-emptive military strikes against South Korea and U.S. forces around the Pacific Ocean, while the South is promising to respond to any aggression with bullets first, and politics later.
Outgoing Chinese leader admits failings of his term, encourages new leaders
China's about to complete its once-a-decade leadership transition, with Xi Jinping taking over for Wen Jiabao. As Wen prepares to leave office, he was surprisingly frank about his administration's failings -- and offered concrete advice to his successor.
Chinese finance official advocates for carbon tax
After passing the United States as the top carbon emitter, one researcher says China's now making a commitment to reduce the country's carbon output. But in order for China to reduce large amounts of CO2, they say, the U.S. will need to do more.
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(21 May, 2013 08:58:54)Stop moaning everyone - unbelievable and endless queue of worlds biggest collection of all minded moaning Minnie's -
PUdden N Tane (20 May, 2013 09:40:50)Take her crayons away then put her in the corner. How could anyone even 'think' they are doing right by the picture when they make ...
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Womprat (20 May, 2013 02:50:44)There were no swamp rats. There were Womprats, though.
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Jonathan (20 May, 2013 11:59:28)You're quite right. Sorry about that! Jonathan Kealing PRI.org
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My Other Car's the Tardis (20 May, 2013 11:37:03)I think you dropped a letter in the album's title: "Ela" is "she"--not "he"--in Portuguese.