China, which introduced a one-child policy in the 1970s, restated
lately its hard line on trafficking in children and its ban on
selective sex abortion.

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton’s autobiography went on sale recently and was set to become an instant hit with his account to of how he confessed to his affair with Monica Lewinsky.

Father Lawrence Lee, chancellor of the HK Catholic Diocese, said local clergy would not initiate contacts between the Vatican and Beijing, but that if the two sides were willing to talk they would play a liaison role.

Gruesome pictures of death and decay will greet smokers in Singapore from Aug. 1, in the hope of discouraging people from smoking. Images such as a mouthful of rotten teeth, diseased organs, a limp baby and a smoker on his deathbed will cover half of each pack, and written health warnings will accompany the pictures.

New studies said eating vegetables like broccoli and spinach may help older women retain some memory abilities later on, while avoiding obesity in middle age lowers the risk of later
Alzheimer’s disease in both sex.

Hundreds of people in a central province have been expelled from the communist party or fired from their government posts for violating the nation’s “one-child” policy.

According to statistics, the number of Taiwan people infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, has surpassed 6,000 over the past two decades. The tally has been increasing around 15 % each year, and is expected to more than double to reach the 15,000 mark by 2011.

Taiwan pop diva Chang Hui-mei was forced to cancel a concert recently after mainland media and fans boycotted the singer for her alleged pro-independence stance.

According to a survey, 38 percent of women polled in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines said they were currently using skin-whitening products, up from 34 percent in February 2002.

Benedict XVI recently prayed for an end to the AIDS epidemic.He said
“my thoughts and my prayers go to all persons affected by this
sickness, in particular children, to the poorest and to those who
are rejected.”