Asia

A US B-52 Stratofortress is escorted by a South Korean fighter jet (left) and a U.S. fighter jet (right) as it flies over the Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, on Sunday.

World News

U.S. Flies Bomber Over South Korea In Show Of Strength, Alliance

2:31pm January 10, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

A nuclear-capable B-52 flew over Osan Air Base, an hour south of Seoul, in a show of force. Tensions between North and South Korea have been high since North Korea's recent nuclear test.

A Historic Start: Economic Ups And Downs

1:07pm January 09, 2016

by Chris Arnold

2016 so far has brought the worst first-week-of-the-year in stock market history. Fears over trouble in China caused worldwide mayhem in markets. But, the U.S. got an encouraging employment report.

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A Collector's Envy: Bhutan's Playable Postage Stamps

8:13am January 09, 2016

In 1972, the country tried some novel fundraising: selling postage stamps embossed with a playable recording. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with journalist Chris May who wrote about the oddity.

Holu, a festival that welcomes spring, is celebrated with public spraying of colorful powders. Rajasthan, India, 1996.

A Photographer Captures Extraordinary Moments Of Everyday Indian Life

7:00am January 09, 2016

by Maanvi Singh

Photographer Steve McCurry — he took the famous Afghan girl portrait for National Geographic — shares scenes from across the subcontinent in his new book.

A Photographer Captures Extraordinary Moments Of Everyday Indian Life

7:00am January 09, 2016

by Maanvi Singh

Photographer Steve McCurry — he took the famous Afghan girl portrait for National Geographic — shares scenes from across the subcontinent in his new book.

The Indian fruit bat known as the flying fox can harbor diseases that other animals — and humans — can contract.

Worrisome Bat-Disease Map Shouldn't Make People Fear Bats

4:54pm January 08, 2016

by Emily Sohn

A new map shows where the risk is highest for humans catching diseases from bats. But the researchers urge humans to remember: Bats do a lot of good, too!

Amid Chinese Uncertainty, U.S. Economy Shows Strength With Jobs Report

4:31pm January 08, 2016

by John Ydstie

After a frightening week for global financial markets, the U.S. economy showed real strength on Friday when the Labor Department released the December jobs report. It showed employers added 292,000 jobs, which is a strong number.

What Is Behind The Volatility In China's Financial Markets?

1:30pm January 08, 2016

by Frank Langfitt

It's been an unnerving week for China's economy, the world's second largest. Prices fell so sharply on the Shanghai stock exchange that trading had to be halted for the day — twice.

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The huge statue of Chairman Mao Zedong in central China's Henan province before it was demolished.

World News

Mysterious Giant Golden Statue Of Mao Is Gone

11:29am January 08, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

It's not immediately clear why the 121-foot-high homage to Mao Zedong in central China was brought down, but widespread ridicule might have had something to do with it.

World News

Why 'Star Wars' Tickets May Be A Tough Sell In China

6:14am January 08, 2016

by Frank Langfitt

The franchise isn't well known in the world's second-largest movie market. When the first Star Wars film debuted in 1977, Chinese were still wearing Mao suits and were largely cut off from the world.