Accessibility links
Asia Asia

Asia

The Changing Face Of America's Chinatowns

A vendor sells seafood at a market in East Broadway in New York City's Chinatown. There was a 17 percent drop in the population of New York City's Chinatown over the past decade, and some say it's a sign that Chinatown is becoming more of a symbolic touchstone. Rebecca Sheir/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Rebecca Sheir/NPR

National

The Changing Face Of America's Chinatowns

For centuries, people from China have immigrated to major cities in the United States. There, many formed their own neighborhoods known today as Chinatowns. But with China's economy booming and the U.S. economy faltering, these historic neighborhoods are seeing declining populations and new demographics.

Even Finish Masks Volatile Year For U.S. Economy

A trader walks in New York City's financial district on Sept. 12, a day when stocks fell early based on fears that the Greek government would default, then rallied on news that China might buy Italian debt. This year, what sent the market into a tailspin often took place overseas. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Economy

Even Finish Masks Volatile Year For U.S. Economy

Stocks ended up around close to where they started the year. Markets were mostly unfazed by the U.S. debt downgrade. But big changes in the European economy and governments in the Middle East made for a tumultuous year, when what sent the market into a tailspin often took place overseas.

In China, Finding A New Way To Eat In Times Of Plenty

Anna Hu at the Ao Hua Farmers Market in Shanghai. After years of working long hours and eating only in restaurants, Hu has learned how to cook vegetables and eat more healthfully. Eliza Barclay/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Eliza Barclay/NPR

The Salt

In China, Finding A New Way To Eat In Times Of Plenty

As people get richer, they tend to get fatter. That's what's happening in China, where 25 percent of adults are now obese or overweight. But some Chinese are discovering that it's possible to enjoy times of plenty and still stay slim.

Tense U.S.-Pakistani Relations Mark 2011

It has been a particularly tumultuous year for U.S.-Pakistan relations. Washington has spent much of the year trying to calm Pakistani anger over several high-profile incidents, including the killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. Special Forces, and NATO airstrikes that left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead. But the U.S. has had its share of frustration with Pakistan's leaders, and outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen openly accused the country's intelligence agency of supporting the Taliban and other militants. Despite the rancor, both sides say they need the other. Still, it doesn't appear relations will improve much in 2012, especially as the U.S. inches closer to withdrawing from Afghanistan.

Snow-Wash: North Korea Doctored Photo Of Kim's Funeral

This image, released by the North Korean Central News Agency, was taken within seconds of the one above. An analysis shows that it was digitally altered, removing the cluster of men on the left edge and enhancing the perfect line of mourners. KCNA/EPA /Landov hide caption

toggle caption
KCNA/EPA /Landov

The Picture Show

Snow-Wash: North Korea Doctored Photo Of Kim's Funeral

The North Korean Central News Agency apparently deployed its latest weapon — Photoshop — to digitally remove a small group of mourners from the left edge of the funeral photo. The people watching Wednesday's procession were replaced by pristine snow.

The Real Buddha Bar, Tended By Tokyo Monks

At Vow's Bar in Tokyo, Buddhist monks run the place and serve up advice along with cocktails. Here's a monk serving drinks on Monday. Lucy Craft/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Lucy Craft/NPR

The Real Buddha Bar, Tended By Tokyo Monks

It's an old cliche — the boozy customer at the pub, pouring out his woes to the bartender. But at a Tokyo bar run by Buddhist monks, bartenders don't mind hearing their customers' problems — dispensing advice is precisely why they're in business.

In Philippine Slums, Capturing Light In A Bottle

Filipino soldiers install solar light bulbs through a roof in a shantytown in Manila, Philippines. The bulbs are actually old plastic soda bottles filled with water and bleach, and powered by the sun. Jay Directo/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Jay Directo/AFP/Getty Images

In Philippine Slums, Capturing Light In A Bottle

For poor families in the Philippines, electrical bills are a huge burden. But an old soda bottle, filled with water and bleach, can be turned into a 55-watt bulb with the help of the tropical sun.

Weeping, Wailing And Imagery In Pyongyang For Kim Jong Il's Funeral

Kim Jong Un, center, walks with his hand on the limousine bearing his father Kim Jong Il's body earlier today in Pyongyang. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Weeping, Wailing And Imagery In Pyongyang For Kim Jong Il's Funeral

Carefully crafted images of new leader Kim Jong Un walking beside his father's casket are aimed at telling the world that a stable succession is underway, experts say.

In North Korea, A Dramatic Farewell To Kim Jong Il

This photo provided by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows Kim Jong Un, center, with his hand on the limousine bearing his father Kim Jong Il's body during the funeral procession in Pyongyang. Korean Central News Agency hide caption

toggle caption
Korean Central News Agency

North Korea In Transition

In North Korea, A Dramatic Farewell To Kim Jong Il

North Korea staged a dramatic state funeral for its late leader Kim Jong Il. Leading the ceremonies was Kim's third son and apparent successor, Kim Jung Un. North Korean media reports portray the young Kim in full control of the impoverished, nuclear-armed country. But while consolidating his political power may be easy, establishing his legitimacy will be tougher.