Asia

The cover of the June edition of the Annals of the Chinese Nation highlights stories on the Cultural Revolution, rule of law and a remembrance of a past Communist Party general secretary. This was the last issue of the magazine before it was taken over.

World News

Amid Crackdown, China's Last Liberal Magazine Fights For Survival

5:14pm August 10, 2016

by Anthony Kuhn

Journalists are fighting to keep alive one of China's leading liberal publications, a modern history journal that's made bold calls for democratic reform. Their prospects don't look good.

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World News

Pakistan Reels From Suicide Attack On Lawyers

8:00am August 09, 2016

A suicide bomber in the city of Quetta in western Pakistan has killed at least 63 people and injured more than 100 others. Steve Inskeep talks to columnist and blogger Aisha Sarwari.

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World News

At Least 70 Dead In Suicide Bombing At Pakistan Hospital

6:21pm August 08, 2016

NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Gibran Peshimam, senior executive producer for Geo Television, about the attack on lawyers who gathered at a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan.

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World News

Japanese Emperor Signals Wish To Abdicate Throne

4:37pm August 08, 2016

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Yuki Tatsumi, senior associate of the East Asia program at the Stimson Center, about Emperor Akihito's video message to the people of Japan. In the broadcast, he said he wants to abdicate the throne — the first time in 200 years for an emperor to do so.

Students perform a creative writing exercise at Cold Water Well Middle School. Students write descriptive prose from the perspective of a human statue, a blind person feeling the statue, and an outside observer.

In China, Some Schools Are Playing With More Creativity, Less Cramming

9:25am August 08, 2016

by Anthony Kuhn

Local governments are allowing schools to experiment with new teaching methods. Educators hope to develop self-motivated, critical thinkers.

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Pedestrians in Tokyo watch as Emperor Akihito speaks to the nation. In the rare video message, Akihito said old age and illness may make it difficult for him to fulfill his public duties.

World News

In A Rare Speech, Japan's Emperor Hints At Abdicating

9:05am August 08, 2016

by Elise Hu

Emperor Akihito said his age and poor health could make the performance of his duties impossible. But Japanese law doesn't allow for the emperor to step down.

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Thai Voters Approve Military-Backed Constitution

5:00pm August 07, 2016

In a victory for the military, referendum voters in Thailand approved a draft constitution. Critics say it will entrench military control in the country.

People register to vote at a polling station before casting their ballots in the constitutional referendum in Thailand's northeastern province of Buriram on Sunday.

World News

Thailand Approves Controversial Military-Penned Constitution

12:50pm August 07, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Thai voters have overwhelmingly backed a new constitution in a referendum. The document's critics have called it a step backward for Thai democracy, while supporters say it provides stability.

An Uber Station is shown outside a hotel in Chengdu, in southwest China's Sichuan province. Uber spent $1 billion in China last year, but only got a share of around 10 percent, compared to Didi Chuxing's more than 80 percent.

World News

In China, A Battle Uber Didn't Win

12:25pm August 03, 2016

by Anthony Kuhn

Uber's China arm merged with its rival Didi Chuxing this week, creating a $35 billion ride-hailing colossus. The merger ends an era of brutal competition, and may help boost China's flagging economy.

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A man walks past a display cabinet containing models of bitcoins in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

World News

$72 Million In Bitcoins Stolen From Hong Kong Exchange

10:06am August 03, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The value of the digital currency plunged more than 20 percent after news of the theft broke. Nearly 120,000 bitcoin were stolen; it's not clear who took the currency or how.