Asia

 Tseren-ochir is a superintendent at Mongolia's Oyu Tolgoi mine. He is overseeing workers digging a nearly 5,000-foot-deep shaft down to reach the copper ore. John W. Poole/NPR

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Mongolia Booms

Mongolia is in the midst of a remarkable transition. Rich in coal, gold and copper, the Central Asia country is riding a mineral boom that is expected to more than double its GDP within a decade. The changes both excite and unnerve many Mongolians.

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The Two-Way

'On Top Of The World' At 80: Japanese Climber Summits Everest()  

A photo from May 22 shows Yuichiro Miura, 80, right, and his son, Gota at their South Col camp at 26,247 feet during their climb to the top of Mount Everest. Miura became the oldest man to reach the peak.

May 23, 2013 A Japanese mountaineer has become the oldest person to conquer Mount Everest, as Yuichiro Miura, 80, reached the peak Thursday morning. The feat marks Miura's third time atop Mount Everest. As in 2008, Miura's accomplishment is in danger of being surpassed by rival climber Min Bahadur Sherchan, 81.

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The Two-Way

North Korea Sends Special Envoy To China Amid Tensions()  

North Korea's Vice Marshal Choe Ryong Hae (front right) shakes hands with officials as he departs for China.

May 22, 2013 The trip comes as relations between Beijing and Pyongyang have soured over North Korea's nuclear program and the recent seizure of Chinese fisherman.

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Parallels

China's Artist Provocateur Explores New Medium: Heavy Metal()  

The video for Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's newly released song starts by re-creating the conditions of his captivity during the 81 days he was held in police detention in 2011, and later dissolves into a dystopian nightmare.

May 22, 2013 In 2011, police detained Ai Weiwei for 81 days. Now, he's released a song that's turned the experience into a heavy metal protest song, along with a dystopian nightmare video. The lyrics are explicit and angry. Ai says his music is for the many political prisoners who remain jailed.

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The Two-Way

Gandhi Artifacts Could Fetch Steep Prices At Auction()  

A picture of Gandhi taken on  July 24, 1931 in New Delhi.

May 21, 2013 A pair of sandals, a shawl and a drinking cup that were used by the Indian independence leader are among the objects going under the hammer in the U.K.

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