China

North Korea Courts Uganda

The relationship between North Korea and China is growing thin, with the larger of the two neighbors getting irate with their little brother for always causing trouble. And while the DPRK can scramble about trying to repair this relationship, what they really need in the world are more allies. Thus, it looks like the latest move by the country is to court the far away continent of Africa, the country of Uganda to be exact.

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China’s Shenzhou-10 Heads to Space

It’s taken them decades, but China is finally catching up in the space exploration department. Their first manned mission came about ten years ago and since, they’ve been working hard to make a name for themselves as one of the top space contenders. This ambition was further advanced just a few days ago, when they sent up their latest manned space mission.

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Great Zimbabwe

Located within the state of Zimbabwe are the ruins of the city for which the country was named. Great Zimbabwe is but one of many ruins that are referred to as Zimbabwe (or "house of stone)), though it is by far the largest and, during its time, was the most influential. It also happens to be the largest ruins site in sub-Saharan Africa and was once the most populous city in the entire southern continent.

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Japan’s Rising Power in the East

The talk of the last decade has been about China and their increasing power on the political stage of Asia. Most of the countries in the region have little ability to directly challenge China when it comes to pure productive power and national wealth. Most, in fact, don’t even come close to China in any of the major political tools that matter. One country, however, is on the fast track to intercept China in its ambitions. Japan’s Prime Minister, Abe Shinzo, sees the looming threat of a China-controlled Asia and is taking steps to become the huge country’s largest competitor for power.

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Six Amazing and Unique Gardens of the World

Almost since the dawn of time, people have had a tendency to decorate the world around them to more please their aesthetic senses. One of the most popular ways to do this is by using the natural world mixed with the innovations of man-made art. Thus, gardens have been a popular way of expressing beauty (and usually vast wealth) for millennia. Though many of the greatest gardens have been lost to time, existing now only in history books and legends, there are still many which have made it through the centuries. I have gathered here six of these gardens, from the Far East to the Americas. And though description can certainly not do these amazing locations justice, I have tried to include links to picture galleries where I could find them. Enjoy.

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China and EU Butt Heads over Trade

It looks like the trade wars between China and the European Union are heating up. China has long been accused of using unfair trade practices with regards to its exports of solar panels, engaging in heavy government subsidies and “dumping” (the act of selling below cost). So far, the EU has been looking at alternative solutions to the perceived problem, including the classic tactic of just ignoring it. Now, it looks like they may have had enough.

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Poetry is dangerous business

When we think of "poetry" and "suffering," most of us probably conjure up thoughts of the starving artist living in an unheated garret apartment. But over the years, many poets have suffered much worse things than voluntary poverty and artistic obscurity. These poets were imprisoned, tortured, and in some cases killed as a direct result of their poetry.

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U.S. Military Build-up in Asia Creates Some Tension

The region of East Asia has plenty of problems when it comes to balancing the various military powers in the region, whether strong or just completely unstable. China is building up their military and throwing their weight around in order to secure more territory. North Korea is doing what they do best and making loud threats of nuclear retaliation against anyone who even looks at them wrong. Now, the United States may be getting further involved in the build-up, a move that has China a bit peeved.

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Eight Strange and Wonderful Statues from around the World

Ever since man’s predecessors figured out that they can use one stone to make holes in another, there have been statues and carvings. As time and technology progressed, these creative endeavors became larger and more elaborate. Most of the earliest examples of statues revolve around religious motivations, though there are plenty of different reasons for people to create art. Statues have been erected to commemorate famous people, to convey legends and folklore, to show devotion to one religious belief or another and to demonstrate the spirit of a country or other cultural center. Some of these have turned out grand and hold a place as remarkable artistic efforts. Others, particularly modern ones, are more bizarre peculiarities than anything else. Here, I’ve collected eight interesting statues from around the world, running the gambit from monumental to just plain insane.

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China Looking to Take Over U.S. Pork Production Company

In a recent Chinese economic play, it looks like Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd is trying to secure one of the UnitedState’s biggest pork producing companies, Smithfield Foods. Shuanghui also happens to be China’s largest meat processing company and, if they manage to get approval for their purchase, they will own yet another piece of foreign food production, a trend that is growing as of late.

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