Catholics rocked by Pope's resignation

Pope Benedict left the Catholic world in shock after becoming the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to resign his office, saying that failing strength had left him unable to lead the church through a period of relentless change and turmoil.

Intrepid Japanese dining on dirt

French-style seafood was always the big seller at Toshio Tanabe's Tokyo restaurant, but the chef for many years had a secret passion: soil.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Tackling mountain of difficulties

Since December, Gaoligong Mountain National Nature Reserve in Yunnan province has been covered by heavy snow up to 10 meters deep. The road that winds around the mountain to the county seat of Gongshan in Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture has been inaccessible to traffic.

Risky contracts

Since 2010, six villages in the township of Dulongjiang have undertaken a huge road-building project through the rocky mountainsides. Dozens of private contractors from regions across Yunnan rushed to the small town lying between Gaoligong Mountain and northern Myanmar.

Prosperity on the plateau

After its peaceful liberation from millennia-long feudal serfdom, huge vitality has been released in the Tibet autonomous region since democratic reforms were launched in 1959. "Leap-forward" progress has been made, especially over the last three decades.

Cartoon

Inequality must be addressed

On Feb 1, in a train heading to his hometown, Mohe, the northernmost city of China, Dong Guofa appeared a bit bashful when interviewed by a television reporter. The man, in his 50s, had not eaten any food for a whole day since he left Dalian, Liaoning province, where he worked. He said he only had 300 yuan ($48) with him and he didn't want to use a single yuan, because the money was reserved for buying Spring Festival gifts for his family. A gentle smile spread over his face when he said he wanted to buy some candies and stationery for his granddaughter.

Peninsula needs restraint

With rising speculation that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea may soon conduct another nuclear test, tension is once again building on the peninsula. This is worrying, as it is detrimental to peace and stability in the region and beyond. The issue of foremost importance now is the parties concerned exercise the utmost restraint and prevent the situation from spinning out of control.

Reduce money supply

The recent controversy over whether China has issued excessive money reflects public worries about rising prices. Policymakers need to take heed of such concerns and find solutions to inflation.

Specific law on domestic abuse needed

The divorce case of the "Crazy English couple" was settled on Sunday with Kim Lee, the abused wife, getting 12 million yuan ($1.93 million) worth of property and 50,000 yuan as compensation for the trauma she suffered. The Beijing court that settled the divorce case also gave Lee the custody of the couple's three daughters and asked Crazy English franchise founder Li Yang to pay 100,000 yuan for each of the girls as annual child support until each reaches 18 years of age.

Invasion of privacy a tricky affair

It is not uncommon in China to be besieged by members of an extended family and grilled about why you are not yet married. Spring Festival, which is round the corner, is a traditional time for family reunions and visits by relatives. But for some young people, it is also a time to "face the music" as their personal life comes up for discussions at get-togethers.