Asia

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Hindu Priest With A History Of Bigotry Selected To Run India's Uttar Pradesh

6:51am March 21, 2017

by Julie McCarthy

The party of India's prime minister swept state assembly elections in the country's largest state. Over the weekend, a controversial Hindu priest was picked to the influential post of chief minister.

Shanghai pedicurist Ju-wen Zu and NPR's Aarti Shahani talk, aided by a translation app that may change the way we travel abroad forever.

World News

Finding A Pedicure In China, Using Cutting-Edge Translation Apps

4:47pm March 20, 2017

by Aarti Shahani

On a trip to China, NPR's Aarti Shahani took a detour in search of a pedicure, with help from some of the latest voice translation apps. These tools could radically change how you travel abroad.

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U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, upon arriving at the Osan Air Base in South Korea last week.

The 'Tillerson Is Tired' Meme And Things That Happen In A News Vacuum

7:39am March 20, 2017

by Elise Hu

The secretary of state didn't cut short his South Korea stay over the weekend, but an information vacuum meant a lot of people thought he did.

Farmer Arif Subandi surveys scorched peat lands near his house in the village of Punggur Kecil in West Kalimantan Province on Borneo.

Indonesia's Peat Fires Still Blaze, But Not As Much As They Used To

2:00pm March 19, 2017

by Anthony Kuhn

Clearing peat land by fire is illegal but remains widespread, since it's the cheapest way to clear land for farming and industry. Still, peat fires were down by more than 80 percent from 2015 to 2016.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson holds a joint press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on March 18, 2017 in Beijing, China.

Rex Tillerson, Xi Jinping Meet In China As Secretary Of State Wraps Asia Tour

12:01pm March 19, 2017

by Anthony Kuhn

To the surprise of many observers, Tillerson referred to a mutual U.S.-China understanding of "non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation."

World News

Tillerson Meets With Chinese President To Wrap Up Asia Trip

7:52am March 19, 2017

by Anthony Kuhn

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had positive things to say about his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping Sunday.

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A video of NPR Beijing correspondent Anthony Kuhn asking a question about a policy to expand the Beijing region got 5 million views on Weibo, China's answer to Twitter.

World News

For Years, I've Been A Correspondent In China. This Month, I Became A Viral Star

11:36am March 18, 2017

by Anthony Kuhn

A video of NPR Beijing correspondent Anthony Kuhn asking a question about a policy to expand the Beijing region got millions of views on Weibo, China's answer to Twitter. Here's why.

World News

North Korea's Weapons: What It Has, What It Wants

8:12am March 18, 2017

The threat of North Korea's growing nuclear capability is in the spotlight. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Robert Litwak of the Woodrow Wilson Center about exactly what those nuclear capabilities are.

World News

Tillerson Talks Tough On North Korea During Asia Trip

8:12am March 18, 2017

by Elise Hu

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said during his visit to South Korea "all options are on the table" when it comes to dealing with North Korea. On Saturday, Tillerson met with Chinese officials.

"The policy of strategic patience has ended," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (left) said Friday of dealing with North Korea. Tillerson is visiting South Korea; he's seen here alongside South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se in Seoul.

World News

Tillerson Says 'All Of The Options Are On The Table' In Dealing With North Korea

5:14pm March 17, 2017

by Bill Chappell

One day after saying diplomatic efforts "have failed" to affect North Korea, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the U.S. would consider all military options if compelled to act.