Asia : NPR https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1125 Asia en Copyright 2021 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Wed, 22 Dec 2021 16:41:00 -0500 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 Asia https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1125 Japan's puzzling COVID lull COVID cases in Japan fell more than 99% from the last peak. Unlike previous infection waves, and countries in similar situations, it's largely staying there. Experts are struggling to explain why. Wed, 22 Dec 2021 16:41:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2021/12/22/1067024865/japans-puzzling-covid-lull https://www.npr.org/2021/12/22/1067024865/japans-puzzling-covid-lull COVID cases in Japan fell more than 99% from the last peak. Unlike previous infection waves, and countries in similar situations, it's largely staying there. Experts are struggling to explain why.

]]> Anthony Kuhn A water diversion project that China is funding in Thailand is raising eyebrows Plans for a new water diversion project in Thailand are alarming environmentalists. And a Chinese state-owned firm offered to finance it, raising flags with those who fear China's growing influence. Tue, 21 Dec 2021 17:11:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2021/12/21/1066493393/a-water-diversion-project-that-china-is-funding-in-thailand-is-raising-eyebrows https://www.npr.org/2021/12/21/1066493393/a-water-diversion-project-that-china-is-funding-in-thailand-is-raising-eyebrows Plans for a new water diversion project in Thailand are alarming environmentalists. And a Chinese state-owned firm offered to finance it, raising flags with those who fear China's growing influence.

]]> Michael Sullivan No pay for staff. No patient supplies. No heat. This is health care in Afghanistan When the Taliban took over, predictions were made that the country's health care system would collapse. That's no longer just a forecast, says Dr. Paul Spiegel after his five-week mission there. Tue, 21 Dec 2021 09:06:32 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/21/1063840640/no-pay-for-staff-no-patient-supplies-no-heat-this-is-health-care-in-afghanistan https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/21/1063840640/no-pay-for-staff-no-patient-supplies-no-heat-this-is-health-care-in-afghanistan

When the Taliban took over, predictions were made that the country's health care system would collapse. That's no longer just a forecast, says Dr. Paul Spiegel after his five-week mission there.

(Image credit: Bram Janssen/AP)

]]> Susan Brink Desperation grows in the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Rai Rai is one of the most powerful storms to hit the southern Philippines on record. It's displaced more than 481,000 people and killed more than 150. Mon, 20 Dec 2021 23:12:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2021/12/20/1066049450/super-typhoon-rai-leaves-a-path-of-devastation-and-uncertainty https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2021/12/20/1066049450/super-typhoon-rai-leaves-a-path-of-devastation-and-uncertainty

Rai is one of the most powerful storms to hit the southern Philippines on record. It's displaced more than 481,000 people and killed more than 150.

(Image credit: Jay Labra/AP)

]]> Julie McCarthy The riddle of Japan's dramatic drop in COVID numbers The turnaround came in the wake of a fifth wave of infections that peaked in August. Japan is trying to figure out why its COVID-19 case numbers and fatalities have plummeted. Mon, 20 Dec 2021 12:23:01 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/20/1065159384/the-riddle-of-japans-dramatic-drop-in-covid-numbers https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/20/1065159384/the-riddle-of-japans-dramatic-drop-in-covid-numbers

The turnaround came in the wake of a fifth wave of infections that peaked in August. Japan is trying to figure out why its COVID-19 case numbers and fatalities have plummeted.

(Image credit: Eugene Hoshiko/AP)

]]> Anthony Kuhn Afghan music students escaped the Taliban and are beginning their new lives abroad Students and faculty with the Afghanistan National Institute of Music flew last week from Doha to Lisbon, where they will start their new lives and reconstitute their celebrated academy in exile. Mon, 20 Dec 2021 11:21:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2021/12/20/1064510598/afghanistan-music-institute-taliban-doha-portugal https://www.npr.org/2021/12/20/1064510598/afghanistan-music-institute-taliban-doha-portugal

Students and faculty with the Afghanistan National Institute of Music flew last week from Doha to Lisbon, where they will start their new lives and reconstitute their celebrated academy in exile.

(Image credit: Armando Franca/AP)

]]> Hannah Bloch Tennis star Peng Shuai says her accusations of sexual assault have been misunderstood Last month, the Chinese player posted on social media that a former top Communist Party official had assaulted her a decade ago. She then dropped out of sight, prompting concerns for her safety. Mon, 20 Dec 2021 11:13:03 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2021/12/20/1065775516/china-tennis-peng-shuai-sexual-assault https://www.npr.org/2021/12/20/1065775516/china-tennis-peng-shuai-sexual-assault

Last month, the Chinese player posted on social media that a former top Communist Party official had assaulted her a decade ago. She then dropped out of sight, prompting concerns for her safety.

(Image credit: Paul Crock/AFP via Getty Images)

]]> Scott Neuman Most hospitals in China only offer reproductive services to married women China is liberalizing birth restrictions because it wants families to have more children. But unconventional families still find themselves constrained by social norms. Mon, 20 Dec 2021 05:09:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2021/12/20/1065722986/most-hospitals-in-china-only-offer-reproductive-services-to-married-women https://www.npr.org/2021/12/20/1065722986/most-hospitals-in-china-only-offer-reproductive-services-to-married-women China is liberalizing birth restrictions because it wants families to have more children. But unconventional families still find themselves constrained by social norms.

]]> Emily Feng Pro-Beijing candidates sweep Hong Kong elections Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said she was "satisfied" with the election despite the 30.2% voter turnout being the lowest since the British handed Hong Kong over to China in 1997. Mon, 20 Dec 2021 03:18:17 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2021/12/20/1065722642/pro-beijing-candidates-sweep-hong-kong-elections https://www.npr.org/2021/12/20/1065722642/pro-beijing-candidates-sweep-hong-kong-elections

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said she was "satisfied" with the election despite the 30.2% voter turnout being the lowest since the British handed Hong Kong over to China in 1997.

(Image credit: Vincent Yu/AP)

]]> The Associated Press Revival of the Iran nuclear deal appears far-off Scott Detrow gets an update on the ongoing Iran-U.S. nuclear deal talks in Vienna from journalist Negar Mortazavi. Sun, 19 Dec 2021 08:01:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2021/12/19/1065626388/revival-of-the-iran-nuclear-deal-appears-far-off https://www.npr.org/2021/12/19/1065626388/revival-of-the-iran-nuclear-deal-appears-far-off Scott Detrow gets an update on the ongoing Iran-U.S. nuclear deal talks in Vienna from journalist Negar Mortazavi.

]]> Scott Detrow The Flying Tigers: How a group of Americans ended up fighting for China in WW II In 1941, Japan was on the offensive against China. So China hired a group of Americans to fight back in the skies. Eighty years ago this week, they fought in their first battle. Sun, 19 Dec 2021 07:01:07 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2021/12/19/1062091832/flying-tigers-americans-china-world-war-ii-history-japan https://www.npr.org/2021/12/19/1062091832/flying-tigers-americans-china-world-war-ii-history-japan

In 1941, Japan was on the offensive against China. So China hired a group of Americans to fight back in the skies. Eighty years ago this week, they fought in their first battle.

(Image credit: AP)

]]> James Doubek Police identify suspect in deadly Osaka arson fire Japanese police say a 61-year-old man is a prime arson suspect after a fire engulfed a mental clinic where he was a patient. The fire killed 24 people who were trapped inside the eight-story building. Sun, 19 Dec 2021 00:11:15 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2021/12/19/1065599841/osaka-arson-fire-suspect https://www.npr.org/2021/12/19/1065599841/osaka-arson-fire-suspect

Japanese police say a 61-year-old man is a prime arson suspect after a fire engulfed a mental clinic where he was a patient. The fire killed 24 people who were trapped inside the eight-story building.

(Image credit: Kyodo News via AP)

]]> The Associated Press Activists in Hong Kong plan not to vote or to cast blank ballots in upcoming election Hong Kong has legislative elections on Sunday, but new rules favor candidates friendly towards the Beijing government. Activists say people can protest by not voting or by casting blank ballots. Sat, 18 Dec 2021 08:02:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2021/12/18/1065477225/activists-in-hong-kong-plan-not-to-vote-or-to-cast-blank-ballots-in-upcoming-ele https://www.npr.org/2021/12/18/1065477225/activists-in-hong-kong-plan-not-to-vote-or-to-cast-blank-ballots-in-upcoming-ele Hong Kong has legislative elections on Sunday, but new rules favor candidates friendly towards the Beijing government. Activists say people can protest by not voting or by casting blank ballots.

]]> John Ruwitch Indonesia raises volcano warning to second-highest level Indonesia's geological agency said it sees increasing activity that could trigger an avalanche of lava and searing gas, similar to the Dec. 4 eruption, Sat, 18 Dec 2021 06:37:04 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2021/12/18/1065475041/indonesia-raises-volcano-warning-to-second-highest-level https://www.npr.org/2021/12/18/1065475041/indonesia-raises-volcano-warning-to-second-highest-level

Indonesia's geological agency said it sees increasing activity that could trigger an avalanche of lava and searing gas, similar to the Dec. 4 eruption,

(Image credit: Hendra Permana/AP)

]]> The Associated Press Pakistan is trying to rally Muslim countries to help Afghanistan Pakistan's foreign minister said his message to Sunday meeting is "Please do not abandon Afghanistan. Please engage. We are speaking for the people of Afghanistan." Sat, 18 Dec 2021 04:53:15 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2021/12/18/1065468764/pakistan-is-trying-to-rally-muslim-countries-to-help-afghanistan https://www.npr.org/2021/12/18/1065468764/pakistan-is-trying-to-rally-muslim-countries-to-help-afghanistan

Pakistan's foreign minister said his message to Sunday meeting is "Please do not abandon Afghanistan. Please engage. We are speaking for the people of Afghanistan."

(Image credit: Petros Giannakouris/AP file photo)

]]> The Associated Press