Chinese breakups, Norwegian johns

GOOD DAY FOR: Prenuptials, as falling home and other asset values have prompted a 30 percent rise in divorce inquiries in China. According to China’s state-owned media, wealthy spouses are looking into dumping their other halves while their assets are worth less. Most inquiries are about how to protect property. There were 2.1 million divorces in China in 2007. (Reuters)

BAD DAY FOR: The oldest profession, after Norway put into effect a law that makes it a crime to pay for sex. Norwegians caught hiring prostitutes, in country or abroad, face six months in jail or a hefty fine. Norway says that targeting the johns instead of the prostitutes is a more effective way to quash the sex trade. Sweden and Finland already have similar laws. (BBC News)

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up