Wary that Hong Kong police might move into protest areas and destroy the array of art created inside the grounds of the democracy movement, a band of “art guardians” has been standing by in case they are needed. The protests have extended over a month, calling for greater democracy within Hong Kong. The Chinese government … Read more
China launched an experimental unmanned spacecraft Friday–the country’s first return moon mission. The craft, which had a successful launch atop an advanced Long March-3C rocket and is currently travelling along its planned trajectory, will spend eight days in space before returning to Earth. The craft successfully entered its expected orbit shortly after launch, according to the State Administration … Read more
Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken direct control of a key law enforcement agency, according to Communist Party state-run media outlets. In order to focus concern on the reform of China’s legal system, Xi took direct charge over China’s Political and Legal Affairs Commission (PLAC). Xi’s taking charge was an “upgrade” of the government’s control … Read more
“I hadn’t planned on staying there long–I just wanted some chicken wings,” said 26-year-old Tan Shen, a native of Chengdu in Sichuan, a southwestern province of China. The young woman had been dumped by her boyfriend. “I was walking around feeling miserable and decided to stop off at the KFC at the train station,” said … Read more
China has cut forecasts for offshore wind power installations by 60 percent–the nation had projected 5,000 megawatts of capacity by 2015 and 30,000 megawatts by 2020, but has reassessed its ambitions. China now aims to install approximately 2,000 megawatts of capacity by 2015 and 10,000 by 2020. “The pace and scale of offshore wind are … Read more
Although mountain glaciers around the world are melting at increasing rates in our warming climates, at least one range is unaffected. Pakistan’s Karakoram range, the highest point in Pakistan and the source of much of the water of the Indus River, is not melting–and scientists expect that it will not melt, but may put on … Read more
Despite Attempts by recruiters from organizations such as al Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS), Xinjiang Uighurs will not join the jihadist movements of Islamic caliphates, according to exile Uighur activists. Uighurs do not share the same ideology, according to the activists, despite caliphate claims that the region should be “recovered [into] the shade of the … Read more
The gunman in Wednesday’s attack in Ottawa, Canada has been identified by US news agencies as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau and a Canadian citizen. The information was based on US official sources. Bibeau’s identity was confirmed by Canadian authorities shortly after the US reports. Bibeau is a 32-year-old Canadian citizen. He was identified by Canadian authorities working with the FBI. … Read more
According to parliamentarians in Victoria, British Columbia, knowledge of a security threat to Canada had existed since earlier this week. Victoria parliamentarians were contacted days ago and alerted to a possible problem. Parliamentary House Clerk Craig James said that “steps were taken” with regard to security this week. “We are aware and have been aware of a … Read more
RCMP and Ottawa police briefed the nation Wednesday on the shooting that took place at and around Ottawa’s Parliament building. The situation, which the RCMP referred to as “ongoing,” “dynamic and unfolding,” was now focused mainly on the area immediately around Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, and Canadians were told to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities … Read more
A bubble gum company in Japan–a nation conscious of the relationship between chewing and cognitive function–has invented a chewing-sensor. The sensor, invented by a Tokyo-based gum manufacturer, counts chewing rate and intensity. “Chewing, unless you make a conscious effort, can be seen as a bit of a pain,” said Katsumi Kawai, chief marketing officer at … Read more
China executed more people than the rest of the world combined, according to a nonprofit US-based rights group. China executed 2,400 people in 2013, three times the number executed by the 195 other countries, which executed a total of 778 people. “China currently executes more people every year than the rest of the world combined, … Read more