Topic: Asia
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Beyond the 'fiscal cliff': 6 reasons to be optimistic about America's future
As Americans take stock of 2012 and gear up for 2013, it's tempting to adopt "decline think" about the country, especially since there is still no deal to avoid the "fiscal cliff" of steep budget cuts and tax increases. But here are six reasons Americans should still be optimistic about their future.
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Who are China's next leaders?
On Nov. 15, the new Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party – the group that rules China presented itself to the world. Here are the bios of the seven men who take the reins of China.
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War with Iran? 5 ways events overseas could shape Obama's second term.
The threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program is the most urgent example of the foreign-policy challenges that face President Obama in his second term. Here are four others.
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How the world is reacting to Obama's reelection
From China to Iran, President Obama's reelection elicited everything from celebration to doubt about his second-term agenda. Here are 11 responses:
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The 20 most fascinating accidental inventions
Most inventors strive for weeks, months, or years to perfect their products. (Thomas Edison tried thousands of different light bulb filaments before arriving at the ideal mixture of tungsten.) But sometimes, brilliance strikes by accident. Here's a salute to the scientists, chefs, and everyday folk who stumbled upon greatness – and, more important, shared their mistakes with the world.
UPDATE: After great reader feedback, we've added five additional accidental inventions: Stainless steel, plastic, ice cream cones, Post-it Notes, and matches.
All Content
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Taiwan undersea oil plans raise neighbors' eyebrows
The island's exploration efforts in the South China Sea could fuel tensions with China and other nations with territorial claims there. Heated rhetoric last year prompted the US to intervene.
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Starbucks $1 reusable cups: Curb trash, get a discount (+video)
Starbucks $1 reusable cups: Starbucks will introduce $1 reusable plastic cups at its cafes starting Thursday. Starbucks already gives customers a 10-cent discount for using reusable cups for refills, but it hopes the $1 plastic cups will increase the habit and reduce trash.
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Quadrantid meteor shower: Will moon wash out the show?
Quadrantid meteor shower-watchers will have to deal with a three-quarter-full moon, but the event peaks overnight Wednesday, meaning the show will go on.
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Energy Voices
Unconventional wisdom: 5 possible energy surprises for 2013Cobb lists potential surprises in the energy world that conventional wisdom has judged rather unlikely to happen in 2013.
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Stock markets leap after 'fiscal cliff' compromise, but problems lurk
The House of Representatives passed the budget bill late Tuesday night, a contentious exercise because many Republicans had wanted a deal that did more to cut government spending.
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Opinion: In 2013, nothing more important than protecting hopes for democracy
The world faces serious issues in 2013, including debt and climate change. But nothing is more important to international stability and human progress than the aspirations of people upending authoritarian rule in pursuit of self-government. A look at three cases: Egypt, Myanmar, Malawi.
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The world begins celebrating 2013
Australia and Asian nations are celebrating the New Year in style, from fireworks in Sydney and Hong Kong to a street party in Indonesia. Around the world, people are greeting 2013 with optimism.
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Focus
Obama's pivot to Asia? Middle East will still demand attention in 2013.The popular unrest of the last two years has left the Middle East volatile as 2013 kicks off.
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Despite looming 'fiscal cliff,' world markets calm
Although 'fiscal cliff' talks go down to the wire, many investors confident a deal will be reached. World markets in Asia, Europe mixed. US stock futures point to a higher open.
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General Norman Schwarzkopf, Desert Storm commander, dies at age 78
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, who had an illustrious military career which included many high-profile commands, died Thursday of complications from pneumonia.
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LNG exports still iffy, even if they win approval
The Obama administration looks like it will approve exports of liquefied natural gas. But that doesn't mean LNG exports will take off.
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Beyond the 'fiscal cliff': 6 reasons to be optimistic about America's future
As Americans take stock of 2012 and gear up for 2013, it's tempting to adopt "decline think" about the country, especially since there is still no deal to avoid the "fiscal cliff" of steep budget cuts and tax increases. But here are six reasons Americans should still be optimistic about their future.
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Energy Voices
Enbridge ups investment in Northern Gateway pipelineEnergy firm Enbridge has committed an additional $150 million to the Northern Gateway pipeline which would carry oil from Alberta’s oil sands into northwestern British Columbia, according to Consumer Energy Report.
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South Korea's president-elect promises 'new era of change'
Park Geun-hye's calls for inter-Korean dialogue are mixed with a firm stance against compromise.
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Change Agent
13 resolutions to improve the world's food supply in 2013Nearly 1 billion people are still hungry and more than 1 billion others are overweight or obese. The need is for better access to better quality food.
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Lessons from the Maya prophecy – whether the world 'ends' or not (+video)
Instead of focusing on Maya predictions of the ‘end of the world,’ some are shifting attention to problems today that may have contributed to the Maya collapse – like environmental damage.
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Global sympathy for Newtown, antipathy for US gun laws (+video)
Even as observers around the world mourned the teachers and children killed in Newtown, many expressed frustration with a US political system that has left guns so easily accessible.
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Japan's new PM to pressure central bank on monetary stimulus (+video)
Shinzo Abe, elected over the weekend, also wants to improve relations with China while remaining firm on the islands dispute. Meanwhile, the yen has slipped, post-election, in financial markets Monday.
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Japan's deadlock over? A supermajority emerges in exit polls.
Japan’s main conservative party pulled off a major victory in Sunday’s election, giving its leader, Shinzo Abe, a mandate to push for big public spending and a hawkish foreign policy.
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Sandy Hook School shooting: Voices from around the world
As officials continue to investigate the Sandy Hook School shooting, leaders and others from around the world weighed in on what seemed to many to be a typically American tragedy.
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On election's eve, Japan's conservatives appear poised for dramatic comeback
If polls ahead of Sunday's vote are correct, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will take up the top slot again as leader of the LDP. His more hawkish tone on China has played well to an uneasy electorate.
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Opinion: Two ways US and Europe can boost their economies
The US and Europe now have two great opportunities to give their economies a much needed boost. One is to successfully navigate their debt mountains and fiscal cliffs. The other is to finally negotiate a US-EU free trade agreement.
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North Korea rocket test shows long road to credible missiles
Experts say Pyongyang is years from even having a shot at developing reliable missiles that could bombard distant targets, though it did gain attention and the outrage of world leaders with its first successful launch of a three-stage, long-range rocket.
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US hesitates to forcefully condemn North Korean rocket launch
The Obama administration has made it clear the US will not tolerate Iran or Syria's acquisition of nuclear weapons, but North Korea's missile program is a tricker situation diplomatically.
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The Monitor's View: Why a US-EU trade pact would be historic
China's model of state-run capitalism needs a massive challenge from the two giant market economies. Obama must win a US-EU trade pact in his second term.
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