China tightens grip on social media

Users of Sina Weibo, China's popular Twitter-like micro-blogging service, now have to abide by new rules aimed at preventing online rumors and other controversial posts. The “user contracts” that took effect on Monday come as authorities put increased pressure on China's social networks to police what their users are saying.

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Japan and China to start direct currency trading

Japan said Tuesday it will start direct currency trading with China for the first time, scrapping the dollar as an intermediary unit to boost ties between the two Asian economic giants. The move, which will boost trade and investment between the traditional rivals, marks the first time Beijing has allowed a major currency other than the greenback to trade directly with the yuan.

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Aung San Suu Kyi: from prisoner to global politician

Emerging from two decades of imprisonment and personal sacrifice, Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is finally making her debut on the world stage as an elected politician. It is a remarkable development for the Nobel laureate, who burst onto Myanmar's political scene in the late 1980s but was kept as a prisoner in her own home by the country's generals for most of the past 22 years.

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