Japanese authorities have asked this city in Ibaraki Prefecture to start a preliminary survey into the feasibility of establishing a nuclear waste site in its territory. The local mayor has expressed support, but some residents have already protested. Only four sites have agreed to submit to the selection process, which is said to take 20 years.
The Pope's 'foreign minister' says the Chinese government should not interfere in the appointment of bishops. The normalisation of relations would be good for social peace. Benedict XVI and Aleksij II might meet in the "not so distant future".
Average monthly wages should rise by 17 per cent starting July 1. Increase should help reduce labour shortages.
With Washington's offer of "direct talks" with Tehran on the table, the five permanent Security Council members and Germany meet tonight in Vienna.
April was the most polluted month in the last five years. The capital needs to have 239 days per year of "acceptable air quality" or else it risks losing the Games.
His successor described him as "a living monument of the Church in China." Many considered Archbishop Li Duan to be the "in pectore" cardinal chosen by John Paul II. Police blocked various streets to limit the access of Catholics from other dioceses.
The church was supposed to be built within the Russian embassy. But bureaucratic delays led to a decision to change the site.
Vatican paper calls him one of the shining figures of the Chinese episcopate in an article that highlights the time he spent in labour camps and the optimism he had for the future of Sino-Vatican relations.
Indian Defence Minister is in China on a five-day visit. The one-time foes are closer to signing a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation and training.
The project to improve the plight of peasants and to endear the Communist Party to them is coming up against the tendency of local leaders to get rich and to seize land.
Amendments to Beijing's Petition Bylaw are intended to outlaw extreme actions taken to attract attention, too often the only means many have to highlight their plight.
Beijing has to free itself of the ridiculous politics of the Patriotic Association
The campaign launched by the underground Church is drawing more followers. Vietnamese Catholics are praying for religious freedom "in both countries". "We always pray for unity of the church in China," wrote the Carmelites from Taiwan. There have also been responses from Cuba and many other countries.
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