Prostitution around the world

A 2009 research report, 100 Countries and Their Prostitution Policies, lists attitudes worldwide toward commercial sex.

A city that thrives on border trade

After paying the princely sum of 5 yuan (80 cents), a group of tourists lined up to take a peek at the Democratic People's Republic of Korea through telescopes set up on the banks of the Yalu River in the northeastern Chinese city of Dandong.

Games bid to boost winter sports

It is not the winning but the taking part that counts.

Timeline

China at the Winter Olympic Games since 1980

Record number of Chinese enjoy festival overseas

On Tuesday, Wu Chong returned from an eight-day trip to Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic. She said she found few Chinese travelers in the museums and historic sites of Scandinavia, but saw several groups of them in Prague.

Koreas reach out for family reunions

The rival Koreas agreed on Wednesday to hold a reunion later this month for families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War - the first such event for more than three years. Seoul and Pyongyang said they would hold the meeting from Feb 20 to 25, three days later than agreed before, according to local media reports.

Londoners face travel chaos in transit strike

The first of two days of transport misery has begun for commuters in the British capital after a 48-hour strike by Tube workers started on Tuesday night.

Japanese government panel urges nation to rethink collective defense

A government panel will urge Japan to allow its military to help allies that come under attack, in a major reversal of the country's ban on collective defense under its pacifist constitution.

Massacre denied

A governor of Japan's public broadcaster, NHK, has denied that the Nanjing massacre took place, days after a row over Tokyo's use of war-time sex slaves engulfed the new NHK chief.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Thai opposition petitions court to annul weekend poll

Thailand's opposition is set on Tuesday to demand the annulment of last weekend's election and the dissolution of the ruling party, in a legal offensive that threatens to intensify the kingdom's political agony.

Pakistan peace talks with Taliban militants delayed

Negotiators for the Pakistani Taliban said on Tuesday that government representatives had refused to show up for planned peace talks, citing confusion over the militants' team.