Asia

World News

Thousands Of Rohingya Migrants Stranded At Sea After Fleeing Myanmar

7:41pm May 17, 2015

NPR's Audie Cornish speaks to Thomas Fuller of The New York Times about the several thousand Rohingya migrants who fled Myanmar. No country will take them in, and they are adrift at sea.

Queue Listen Now

Tensions In South China Sea Loom Over Kerry Visit

4:03pm May 17, 2015

by Anthony Kuhn

Secretary of State John Kerry underscored U.S. concerns over China's claim to ownership of disputed islands in the South China Sea, an issue that has strained relations in the region.

Queue Listen Now

Members of Exile Tibetan Women Association protest to demand the immediate release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, during a gathering to mark the 20th anniversary of his disappearance, in New Delhi, India, on Sunday.

20 Years After China Seized Boy Monk, Tibetans Call For His Release

3:01pm May 17, 2015

by Scott Neuman

In 1995, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was designated as the 11th Panchen Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's second-highest spiritual leader. He was promptly detained by Chinese authorities and never heard from again.

World News

Blogging In Bangladesh Is A Deadly Occupation

10:44am May 17, 2015

Last week men with machetes brutally attacked a blogger on his way to work in Bangladesh. NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Rafida Ahmed, who was attacked in February.

Queue Listen Now

A photo taken days ago shows alleged on-going reclamation by China of Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Kerry Meets With China's Foreign Minister Over Disputed Islands

7:48pm May 16, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The secretary of state seems unlikely to convince his Chinese counterpart that a diplomatic solution to the regional tug-of-war must be found.

Nepali army soldiers prepare for a rescue mission to the downed U.S. helicopter on Friday. Officials say the remains of all eight aboard the Huey UH-1 have been recovered.

8 Bodies Recovered From U.S. Helicopter Crash Site In Nepal

1:49pm May 16, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The Huey UH-1 chopper went down east of the capital Kathmandu on Tuesday while coordinating disaster relief to the quake-stricken Himalayan country.

World News

'Nepali Times' Editor: After Quakes, Nepalese Surprisingly Upbeat

11:23am May 16, 2015

Two earthquakes and numerous aftershocks have hit Nepal, killing thousands and leaving millions in need. Kunda Dixit, editor of the Nepali Times, tells NPR's Scott Simon about how people are coping.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Aid Workers Ramp Up Efforts In Nepal Before Monsoon Season

6:35pm May 15, 2015

With Nepal suffering its second massive earthquake in a month, Steve Inskeep learns about the impact on the ground from Caroline Brennan, an aid worker with Catholic Relief Services.

Queue Listen Now

Newly arrived Rohingya migrants gather at Kuala Langsa Port in Langsa, Aceh province, Indonesia, on Friday after coming ashore. Most such migrants have been prevented from making port in Southeast Asia.

Why No One Wants The Rohingyas

4:47pm May 15, 2015

by Scott Neuman

As thousands of members of the persecuted minority flee Myanmar and Bangladesh on rickety boats, the rest of Southeast Asia is showing a distinct reluctance to take them in.

Shoppers view and take photographs of humanoid robot "Chihira" at the information reception desk of Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo.

World News

She's Almost Real: The New Humanoid On Customer Service Duty In Tokyo

4:15pm May 15, 2015

by Elise Hu

In Tokyo, a stylish new department store receptionist isn't a human at all. It's a lifelike silicone robot with movements so real, it's fooling some customers.

Queue Listen Now