Japan’s fledgling two-party system set to evolve
Japan is set to head to the polls for parliamentary elections on August 30, and polling suggests Prime Minister Taro Aso's conservative party will lose power after ruling for most of the past 54 years. A Worldfocus contributing blogger writes about changes ahead for the Japanese political landscape.
New Zealanders vote to overturn ban on smacking children
In a nationwide referendum, nearly 88 percent of New Zealanders voted "NO" when asked: "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offense?" Do you think governments should make laws about how to punish children, or it is a private matter? Tell us what you think.
What’s in a name? For Japan and Korea, everything
The "Sea of Japan" or the "East Sea"? As Worldfocus blogger Peter Eisner writes, the dispute over geographical names -- the names of cities, countries and oceans -- can kill.
Hundreds missing in Asia after typhoon and flooding
In Asia, frantic rescue efforts are underway following a devastating typhoon that struck both China and Taiwan. Hundreds are missing after the worst flooding in half a century.
KIA — a brand new name for Asia’s middle powers
Worldfocus contributing blogger Jonas Parello-Plesner, a senior advisor with the Danish government on Asian affairs, discusses the rise of "KIA" -- a new acronym for Asia’s middle powers: (K)orea, (I)ndonesia, and (A)ustralia.
Typhoon and earthquakes devastate Asia
In Asia, Typhoon Morakot has been downgraded to a tropical storm, but not before it caused widespread destruction in several countries, from China to the Philippines. Meanwhile, Japan has been hit with a series of powerful earthquakes.
Week in review: Hillary Clinton in Africa, Bill in North Korea
Nikhil Deogun of The Wall Street Journal and David Andelman of the World Policy Journal discuss the week's top stories: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's tour of Africa and her husband's mission to North Korea to secure the release of two American journalists.
Decoding the North Korean media on Bill Clinton
The homecoming of American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling dominated the news in the U.S. this week, but what's the North Korean media saying about the incident?
North Korea sends signal with journalists’ release
American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee are finally back on American soil, freed after a surprise visit to North Korea by former President Bill Clinton. Charles Armstrong of Columbia University discusses North Korea's motives in releasing the two Americans.
North Korea pardons two American journalists
Two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, have been pardoned by North Korea after former President Bill Clinton made an unannounced visit to the country and held a series of high-level talks. Thomas Whalen of Boston University discusses Clinton's mission.
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