From Iceland to China, TOMS to Google, these stories made you click in 2013

We made big changes to PRI.org in 2013. We combined the site with TheWorld.org, creating a more vibrant site for you to enjoy.

We also introduced some great new partners on the site with content from Global Voices Online and Science Friday.

But what didn't change was our committment to excellence in storytelling, to elevating undertold stories and unheard voices. As we reflect on all that's changed in 2013, and all that hasn't, we're also looking back at the stories that were most popular.

It's fair to say we broke records and exceeded our expectations this year. We hope we exceeded your expectations as well, and we look forward to continuing to bring you the unique voices and perspectives from around the world in 2014.

Here are ten of our most popular stories in 2013:

Iceland grieves after police kill a man for the first time in its history

Iceland made history earlier this year, but not in a good way. For the first time since the nation became an independent republic, armed police shot and killed a man, startling a population accustomed to peace. This was far and away our most popular and most shared story of the year, with 135,000 shares alone.

Innocent home videos are becoming Pakistani 'porn' on YouTube and destroying lives

In a society where women are covered, even small, private acts that express femininity, like girls dancing fully-clothed in the rain, can be seen as sexual. Cell or home videos are being exploited on YouTube as "porn." From our partnership with Global Voices.

A New Sex Manual Gives Ultra-Orthodox Jews the Facts of Life

An American-born Orthodox Jewish sex therapist in Jerusalem has written what he says is the first sexually explicit sex manual for ultra-Orthodox and Orthodox Jews. 

China investing big in convincing 'leftover women' to get married

China has a population imbalance, with some 20 million more men under 30 than women. And yet, there are a number of women who are choosing not to get married. China says they're the country's most desirable women, so the country is pushing hard to convince them to hurry up and wed. This story did well for us, but even better on our partner's website.

This Google ad has moved people to tears across India and Pakistan

Google India made an ad to show how the search engine could help people reconnect with old friends. Now the campaign has touched an emotional chord across Pakistan and India, by reawakening memories of the painful partition of India in 1947. Also from our partners at Global Voices.

Peru makes book writing into a spectator sport and invites aspiring writers into combat

In Peru, where it's hard to get a book contract, young writers put on wrestling masks and duke it out in the ring. But instead of wrestling, they're writing short stories, in front of an audience – on a clock.

TOMS Shoes rethinks its 'buy one, give one' model of helping the needy

TOMS Shoes was one of the first to pioneer the "guilt-free" consumption model. When you buy a pair of TOMS shoes, the California-based company will give a pair to a child in need. Aid watchers criticized this "band-aid" effort to fight poverty. Now TOMS is changing its style a bit. Part of our Tracking Charity series.

Spanish city's locksmiths say they'll no longer assist with evictions

Spanish banks looking to foreclose on delinquent mortgage owners in and around Pamplona will no longer have the assistance of the community's locksmiths. Last month, they announced they would no longer change the locks on people banks want to evict.

Women form special cab service in Delhi — catering exclusively to women

A group of Delhi women have decided the best way to make sure women are safe is to create a special cab service just for them. Women drive the cabs and only pick up women passengers. And the service has seen great success.

This Ethiopian village has gained wealth, but has bred hostility

In the impoverished countryside of Ethiopia, the village of Awra Amba stands out. This bustling community has grown wealthier than its neighbors by questioning tenets of local culture.