Six In The Morning

Republicans want to make being brown illegal

Political battle on illegal immigration shifts to states
Legislative leaders in at least half a dozen states say they will propose bills similar to a controversial law to fight illegal immigration that was adopted by Arizona last spring, even though a federal court has suspended central provisions of that statute.
The efforts, led by Republicans, are part of a wave of state measures coming this year aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration.

Legislators have also announced measures to limit access to public colleges and other benefits for illegal immigrants and to punish employers who hire them.

Meet The New Boss Definitely Not The Same As The Old Boss

New power generation: The world leaders of tomorrow
CHINA

Bai Yitong, 20, the village chief with ambition

By Clifford Coonan in Xi'an

Bai Yitong is fiddling with her mobile phone as she discusses her political ambitions in the world's most populous nation. With her hair tied back tightly, and her trendy hooded top, she looks like one of the confident young women you see more and more of in contemporary China.

But Bai, who turned 20 in December, is one of very few women here who have made their way within the political structure.

Just what a starving North Korean Population needs

North Korea's heir-apparent launches luxury villa construction spree
The construction s spree, documented in satellite photographs and informant accounts assembled by South Korea's intelligence services, began as Kim Jong-un was named to succeed his ailing father, Kim Jong-il, last month.
No independent corroboration of the photographs was possible, but two North Korea experts told The Daily Telegraph that the material was credible. North Korea's ruling family has long been known to live in considerable luxury, unlike the vast majority of the population it rules over.

Pakistani General ask's why he should trust the U.S.

U.S. efforts fail to convince Pakistan's top general to target Taliban
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - Countless U.S. officials in recent years have lectured and listened to Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, the man many view as the most powerful in Pakistan. They have drunk tea and played golf with him, feted him and flown with him in helicopters.

But they have yet to persuade him to undertake what the Obama administration's recent strategy review concluded is a key to success in the Afghan war - the elimination of havens inside Pakistan where the Taliban plots and stages attacks on coalition troops in Afghanistan.

What's in a name?

Sri Lanka erases colonial name, Ceylon

Sri Lanka's government has decided to change the names of all state institutions still bearing the nation's former British colonial name, Ceylon.

The government wants the country's modern name to be used instead. The decision comes 39 years after the country was renamed Sri Lanka.

The change will be made as early as possible in 2011.

Reaction has been mixed to the new year's resolution that gets rid of what some see as a vestige of colonialism

The paranoid want to talk

North Korea calls for dialogue in new year message

North Korea has said it wants to improve relations with the South, in its annual New Year's Eve message.

But Pyongyang also vowed to increase its military strength, said the editorial published by state media.

The message comes amid increased tension following an artillery assault by the North on a South Korean island near a disputed border in November.