East Asia
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.
In Japan, banker tries to cash in on compassion, clean energy
Japan's society has been roiled by the tsunami and disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant. At one credit union, the CEO has decided that it will do its part to help eliminate nuclear power in the country. And he's rewarding his customers who do the same.
North Korea's angry rhetoric better viewed with understanding, than comedy
North Korea's young ruler has a singular mission, experts say, preserve the family dynasty. And in that context, Kim Jong Un's sabre-rattling and his invitation to have Dennis Rodman visit the isolated country all makes sense.
On South Korean island, tensions high as North Korea's tough talk continues
In most of South Korea, people are taking the North's sabre-rattling with a big grain of salt. But on islands along the border, especially on Baengnyeong Island, people are a bit more tense. And all of the strong words are hurting the islands' economy, as well.
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.
Academics say to de-escalate in North Korea U.S. must talk
Tensions remain at a fever pitch between the U.S. and South Korea on one side and North Korea on the other. But academics say the way to dial down the pressure is for American officials to reach out. But should the U.S. give North Koreans what they're so clearly looking for?
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.
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Alexander Smartg (16 May, 2013 06:00:20)Outlaw employers, the modern plantation owners, hire the emminently exploitable, down-trodden all in the name of lowering the sacred "bottom line"! -
peter - stop smoking south africa (16 May, 2013 09:17:56)"32 percent continued to smoke while pregnant".... scary. I know there are people who just don't care, but to do this to your child in this ...
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filthyliberalDOTcom (15 May, 2013 07:54:55)They're acting like children who have been caught ignoring an assigned job. Ridiculous. If this man hid them from neighbors, what do they think they ...
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