Asia

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How To Pick An English Name (Tip: Stay Away From Food)

8:16am October 21, 2014

China Central Television has a guide for helping people pick alternative English names for those studying the language or working for international firms. Among its warnings: "Many Chinese like to pick names that are in fact, not names."

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U.S. And Japan Hit Snag In Major Trade Pact Negotiations

8:16am October 21, 2014

by Jackie Northam

Japanese and American negotiators have been trying to shore up an agreement on agriculture and automobile tariffs. The two allies are the biggest players in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which, if passed, could pull together 12 nations in one trade pact. But talks haven't been going well lately.

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World News

Chinese Telecom Company Offers To Make Pockets iPhone-Sized

8:16am October 21, 2014

China Unicom's tailor has set up a sewing machine, ready to alter concerned customers' pants so that the larger version of the phone will fit in their pockets.

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World News

Nepal Ends Rescue Efforts After Deadly Avalanches In Himalayas

12:40pm October 20, 2014

by Sam Sanders

Locals and international tourists are among at least 39 people known to have died in blizzards and avalanches throughout the foothills of Nepal's Himalayan mountain range last week.

Protesters built a library in the parking lot of the Hong Kong leglislative council building. Volumes include Pride and Prejudice and The Economics of John Maynard Keynes.

World News

An Urban Village Pops Up To Comfort Hong Kong Protesters

11:43am October 20, 2014

by Frank Langfitt

What began as a pro-democracy roadblock has grown into a combination street fair/art gallery, with an outdoor study hall, movie screenings, speeches and even a free library.

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Pro-democracy protesters gather during a rally of the ongoing Occupy Central movement in the Admiralty District of Hong Kong on Monday. The territory's leader has accused foreign elements of helping stoke unrest.

Hong Kong Leader Blames 'External Forces' For Joining Protests

10:46am October 20, 2014

by Scott Neuman

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, who student activists have demanded step down, says "different countries in different parts of the world" are helping stoke unrest in the Chinese territory.

World News

Indonesia Swears In President Who Ran On Promise Of Change

7:21am October 20, 2014

Indonesia has inaugurated its new president, Joko Widodo. Steve Inskeep talks tp Financial Times' correspondent Ben Bland about the man known as Jokowi, and the challenges he faces as he takes office.

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World News

Beijing Marathoners Powered Through Thick Smog

7:21am October 20, 2014

Before Sunday's Beijing Marathon, smog levels were 12 times above what is considered safe for humans. But organizers refused to cancel. Instead, they handed out sponges to clean exposed skin.

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An artist's rendering of the flyby with Mars orbiters taking cover. Note that the image says "spacecraft not to scale."

Mars Probes Give Scientists Box Seats For Rare Comet Flyby

12:41am October 20, 2014

by Scott Neuman

A "mountain-sized" comet known as Siding Spring will pass very close to the red planet, where orbiters from the U.S., Europe and India, hope to get close — but not too close — to the action.

Chinese Find Number URLs Easier Than Letters

3:46pm October 18, 2014

Chinese characters don't readily work with the English-centric internet. The New Republic's Chris Beam tells NPR's Scott Simon that the Chinese use numbers that when pronounced, sound like words.

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