"US officials publicly say they do not seek regime change in Iran. That's a lie. They wouldn't hesitate a moment if they could do it."

Iranian supreme leader AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI last week slammed what he called the United States' "controlling and meddlesome" attitude toward the Islamic republic.

"Flappy Bird is a success of mine. But it also ruined my simple life. So now I hate it."

Vietnamese developer NGUYEN HA DONG, creator of the smash-hit free game Flappy Bird, bemoans the effect on his life the success of the popular app has had since its release last May, shortly before removing it from the US and UK Apple online app stores.

"Washington is considering the whole picture from two sides. We cannot say that the US will give up Japan or that the US-Japan security treaty is no longer important."

Vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies RUAN ZONGZE commenting on Wednesday's announcement by the White House that US President Barack Obama plans to visit Asia in April to increase US engagement in the region.

"Dongguan has been a hotbed for such illegal activities for years. The crackdown should target those who protected the illegal sex trade."

Chief researcher of the Guangdong Provincial Situation Research Center FENG SHENGPING commenting last week on the local government's crackdown on prostitution in Dongguan.

(China Daily 02/16/2014 page1)