Asia

World News

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej Dies At 88

4:34pm October 13, 2016

by Michael Sullivan

The world's longest-reigning monarch has died. Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej was 88 and had long been in ill health. He's the only king most Thais have ever known, and the nation erupted in outpourings of grief on Thursday.

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Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn attends an event in Bangkok on May 13, 2015. He is expected to succeed his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died Thursday at age 89. But the crown prince, who is in his mid-60s, has never achieved the popula

World News

The King's Death Points To Thailand's Paradox

2:57pm October 13, 2016

by Greg Myre

Peaceful. Prosperous. The land of smiles. That's the image Thailand presents to the world. Yet it's also run by generals and has just lost its beloved king, who was a stabilizing force.

World News

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, World's Longest-Reigning Monarch, Dies

12:21pm October 13, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The beloved monarch became king in 1946 at age 19 and was seen as a symbol of unity and national identity. He had been in poor health for most of the past decade.

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Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the vice president of Equatorial Guinea and son of the president, cuts his birthday cake in 2010. The Justice Department says he went on a $100 million shopping spree in the U.S. with money stolen from his homeland. Some $30

When Kleptocrats Bring Money Into The U.S., There's Now A Plan To Seize It

11:21am October 13, 2016

by Jackie Northam

Yachts, mansions, artwork and more, all bought with money allegedly stolen by Malaysian officials. It's the largest case to date for a Justice Department unit that investigates alleged kleptocrats.

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World News

Thailand's King, World's Longest Reigning Monarch, Dies At 88

9:43am October 13, 2016

by Michael Sullivan

Bhumibol Adulyadej had been in poor health for most of the past decade. He was the only king most Thais have ever known. Bhumibol was born in Cambridge, Mass.

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World News

Pakistan Delays 2010 Death Row Blasphemy Appeal

6:30am October 13, 2016

by Philip Reeves

Pakistan's Supreme Court has delayed hearing the blasphemy case of a woman sentenced to death in 2010 for insulting the prophet Muhammad. Liberal activists are calling for her release.

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World News

Samsung's Crisis Creates Ripples Across South Korea

5:47pm October 12, 2016

NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Stephanie Studer, Seoul bureau chief for The Economist, about how the Samsung crisis is reverberating across South Korea.

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The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, shown here addressing the U.N. General Assembly last month, says a newspaper story that civilian officials warned the military of global isolation due to support of militant groups was "fabricated."

World News

After A Sensitive Story, A Pakistani Journalist Is Barred From Leaving

3:20pm October 12, 2016

by Philip Reeves

A respected Pakistani journalist is forbidden from traveling outside the country as punishment for writing a story about tensions between the military and the elected government.

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Health & Safety

Killing Reindeer To Stop Anthrax Could Snuff Out A Nomadic Culture

10:43am October 12, 2016

by Michaeleen Doucleff

Zombie bacteria in defrosting reindeer carcasses brought anthrax back to Siberia. Now the government wants to slaughter 250,000 reindeer to stop the spread.

Claudia Mo, a Hong Kong legislator, expects a new group of young lawmakers in Hong Kong to push back against mainland China. "I think Hong Kong will become even more vibrant on the political front," she says.

World News

Hong Kong Wrestles With An Identity Crisis

7:43am October 12, 2016

by Rob Schmitz

Two years after protesters shut down the city's financial center, a handful of the activists have won seats in the city's legislature. Now that they're in office, what does it mean for Hong Kong?

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