The Prudent Dragon: China’s government spending down by 20% in 2012

In stark contrast to the arrogant crumbling empire, China under President Xi Jinping practices prudence amid global economic slowdown and works towards responsible financial reform while fighting corruption and promoting peace. The Chinese government spent less money, down by 20%, on official expenses last year, according to final account reports issued by central government departments. Most of the country's spending were on sectors directly linked to people's livelihoods, such as public housing, education and health services.

USA Crumbles: Detroit files largest municipal bankruptcy case in US history

A 60 years in the making fiasco, the city of Detroit filed the largest municipal bankruptcy case in U.S. history Thursday afternoon, culminating a decades-long slide that transformed the nation’s iconic industrial town into a model of urban decline crippled by population loss, a dwindling tax base and financial problems. The filing serves as a grim reminder of the bankruptcies that hit the auto industry four years ago. Unlike the cases of General Motors and Chrysler in 2009, the White House offered no financial help.

ElBaradei sworn in as Egypt’s new interim Vice President

Former International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief and Noble laureate Mohamed ElBaradei has been named as Egypt’s interim vice-president.

President Xi Jinping urges China to keep the color ‘Red’ and never change

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the 85 million members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to work hard and serve the people wholeheartedly to "ensure the color of red China will never change."

USA: Nevada cops sued over forced occupation of private homes in Henderson

It’s been a few hundred years since the Third Amendment was written to keep King George from quartering British troops in American homes, but a lawsuit just filed in Nevada suggests it’s as relevant as ever.

Armed group forces closure of Libyan Interior Ministry

An armed group forced the closure of Libya’s Interior Ministry on Tuesday, emptying the building of officials before leaving the scene. An Interior Ministry source said the group was demanding the resignation of the minister because of the government’s reliance on some militias for security.

Belgium’s King Albert II unexpectedly abdicates and makes precedence

His Majesty the King Albert II of the Belgians, the modest, self-effacing Sovereign of the Belgians, addressed the nation at 1600 (GMT) on Wednesday and announced that he is to official abdicate on 21 July, Belgium's National Holiday, in favour of his son Filip after two decades at the helm of the tiny country torn between its French and Flemish speaking halves. At 53 years of age, Crown Prince Filip is to become the 7th king of the Belgians. He was poised to succeed his father sooner or later, but it was not really expected that his father would abdicate from the throne. Belgium has no real tradition in this respect. King Albert's decision to step down is the first abdication in the history of Belgium, follows in the footsteps of Dutch Queen Beatrix, who abdicated in January. The country gained independence from the Netherlands in 1831. Prince Filip will take the oath of allegiance to the Belgian Constitution on the same day as the abdication before a meeting of both houses of parliament.

Bolivia’s President Evo Morales’ plane rerouted on suspicion Snowden on board

The plane carrying Bolivian President Evo Morales home from Russia was rerouted to Austria on Tuesday after France and Portugal refused to let it cross their airspace because of suspicions that NSA leaker Edward Snowden was on board, the country's foreign minister said.

90% of Americans disapprove of Congress: Poll

A new poll shows that only 10 percent of Americans have confidence in Congress as an institution.

UNASUR to Meet to Discuss Aggression toward Bolivian President over Snowden jet rumor

The Venezuelan secretary general of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), Alí Rodríguez Araque, said The Venezuelan secretary general of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), Alí Rodríguez Araque, said that the restriction on the flight over Europe by Bolivian President Evo Morales “is outrageous” and violates the sovereignty of that nation.

Norway’s Refugee “Exception” Loophole grants Snowden’s Request Re-evaluation

Edward Snowden's limited option has now a silver lining courtesy of the Vikings and the King of Norway. The 4.6 million populated nation which has the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world, even beating China, and its fierce love for independence, culture of equality and rights, may give Edward Snowden something soon to smile about as directly told The Santos Republic today by those involved in assisting him.

Elderly Rights: New China law says children ‘must visit parents’, Neglect face fines or...

Grown children in China must visit their parents or potentially face fines or jail, a new law that came into effect on Monday says. China's new "Elderly Rights Law" deals with the growing problem of lonely elderly people by ordering adult children to visit their ageing parents. The law says adults should care about their parents "spiritual needs" and "never neglect or snub elderly people".