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Xi decade reshapes China's military, and the region
Xi decade reshapes China's military, and the region
World
by  AFP

During Xi Jinping's decade-long rule, China has built the world's largest navy, revamped the globe's biggest standing army, and amassed a nuclear and ballistic arsenal to trouble any foe. - Paper tiger no more - For years, the People's Liberation Army was seen as ill-equipped and ineffective -- disparaged by one historian as "the world's largest military museum".

How China's civil society collapsed under Xi
How China's civil society collapsed under Xi
World
by  AFP

Human rights activist Charles remembers a time when civil society was blossoming in China, and he could dedicate his time to helping improve the lives of people struggling in blue-collar jobs. Charles has fled China and several of his activist friends are in jail.

Bestseller or dark horse for 2022 Nobel Literature Prize?
Bestseller or dark horse for 2022 Nobel Literature Prize?
World
by  AFP

The Swedish Academy will on Thursday announce the 2022 winner of the often-criticised Nobel Literature Prize, with the award committee known for its penchant for spotlighting lesser-known writers over bestselling authors. Unlike many other literary awards, there is no shortlist for the Nobel, and the nominations to the Academy and its deliberations are kept secret for 50 years.

Indonesia probes elite officers over stadium disaster
Indonesia probes elite officers over stadium disaster
World
by  AFP

Elite Indonesian police officers were under investigation Tuesday over a stadium stampede that killed 125 people including dozens of children in one of the deadliest disasters in football history. Everything that could go wrong at a football match, appeared to do so on Saturday night, culminating in a disaster never seen before in an Indonesian stadium.

Last stop: Paris waves goodbye to cardboard Metro tickets
Last stop: Paris waves goodbye to cardboard Metro tickets
Business and Economy
by  AFP

The Paris Metro is phasing out cardboard tickets after 120 years, taking the capital's urban transit into a contactless future but leaving behind nostalgic fans who will miss the humble rectangular cards. - 'Change their habits' - As a result, the share of card tickets used on urban trips has dropped from more than two-thirds a year ago to well under half now.