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Spate Of Attacks On Children Shocks China

A man attacked kindergarten students with a hammer before setting himself on fire Friday, in China's third attack on kindergarteners in three days. Melissa Block talks with NPR's Louisa Lim about the reasons such attacks occur in the country.

Spate Of Attacks On Children Shocks China

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In Search Of India's Red-Tape Factory

A merchant in Delhi offers a ledger book used to track pay for government employees. David Kestenbaum/NPR hide caption

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David Kestenbaum/NPR

Planet Money

In Search Of India's Red-Tape Factory

India, home to a booming high-tech industry, is also home to mountains of paperwork. Our reporter wanted to know why — and where all those forms come from.

In Search Of India's Red-Tape Factory

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South Korea Buries Sailors Killed In Ship Sinking

A navy funeral was held in South Korea Thursday for 46 sailors who died when their warship was destroyed by a blast last month. Nearly 60 seamen were rescued but six remain missing. The incident occurred close to the ill-defined maritime border between North and South Korea, and suspicion has fallen on the North.

South Korea Buries Sailors Killed In Ship Sinking

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National Security

As Support Fades, Al-Qaida Shows Signs Of Decline

Obama administration officials have been saying for weeks that its drone attacks over the past year have got al-Qaida on the run. But experts say it's not just drone attacks that are weakening al-Qaida — the group is defeating itself.

As Support Fades, Al-Qaida Shows Signs Of Decline

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Tyranny Of High Expectations Plagues Shanghai Expo

Several embarrassing controversies have marked the run-up to Shanghai's World Expo. One centers on the event's mascot, a bouncy aqua blue cartoon character with big eyes called Haibao (right). Many have pointed out Haibao's resemblance to Gumby, originally an animated clay figure who appeared on U.S. television. Donald Bowers/Getty Images Feng Li/Getty Images hide caption

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Donald Bowers/Getty Images Feng Li/Getty Images

Tyranny Of High Expectations Plagues Shanghai Expo

After an eight-year build-up, the final countdown is on: Shanghai's World Expo opens May 1. Crowds and endless queues marked the $45 billion, half-year-long extravaganza's soft opening this week. Already, complaints from visitors and a copyright scandal have bedeviled the event.

Tyranny Of High Expectations Plagues Shanghai Expo

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Grenade Attack Cripple's Bangkok Business District

Residents of the Thai capital Bangkok are braced for more violence after a deadly grenade attack. Earlier this month, 25 people were killed when protesters clashed with security forces. Protesters began a campaign last month to dissolve Parliament and hold elections immediately.

Grenade Attack Cripple's Bangkok Business District

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China Sets Sights On Enhanced Air, Sea Power

Chinese J-10 fighter jets pass an air force officer on the tarmac at the Yangcun airbase of the People's Liberation Army Air Force in Tianjin, southeast of Beijing, April 13, 2010. Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images

China Sets Sights On Enhanced Air, Sea Power

China is in the midst of an ambitious bid to modernize its military by the middle of this century. A key part of this effort is to downsize its army while beefing up its air force and navy, enabling China to project military force farther beyond its borders.

China Sets Sights On Enhanced Air, Sea Power

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Planet Money

Bribery In India: A Good Thing?

In many countries, if you want to get things done, a small envelope of cash can speed you on your way. You want that business license, without the hassles? No problem — for a price. NPR's David Kestenbaum, from our Planet Money team, was in India, where low-level bribes are common. He reports that economists say sometimes, bribes can actually be a good thing.

Bribery In India: A Good Thing?

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Volcanic Ash In Europe Halts Airfreight In Asia

Korean Air cargo planes sit idle on the tarmac at the Incheon International Airport in Incheon, west of Seoul, South Korea, on Monday. Every day, on average, 10,000 tons of goods are airfreighted between Asia and Europe. But none of that has moved for the past week after Iceland's volcanic eruption. Lee Jin-man/AP hide caption

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Iceland's Volcanic Eruption And Its Aftermath

Volcanic Ash In Europe Halts Airfreight In Asia

As flights over Europe resume, stricken businesses are starting to tally the cost of Iceland's volcanic eruption. Airspace closures have snarled global supply chains, with knock-on effects all the way down the line, including in Asia. It's bad news for consumers and manufacturers alike.

Volcanic Ash In Europe Halts Airfreight In Asia

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China Mourns Thousands Who Perished In Quake

Rescue crews stand on ruins as they mourn for earthquake victims Wednesday in Gyegu Town in China's Qinghai province. Jiang Hongjing/Xinhua/AP hide caption

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China Mourns Thousands Who Perished In Quake

Officials, soldiers and civilians gathered in ceremonies across China to mourn the 2,064 victims killed in a devastating earthquake that hit one week ago on the Tibetan Plateau. Conspicuously absent from televised ceremonies were any Tibetan Buddhist monks.

Buddhist Monks Care For Quake Victims' Remains

The earthquake in western China last week is being blamed for nearly 2,000 deaths — with hundreds more still missing. While the government has taken charge of the rescue efforts, they defer to the cultural and spiritual authority of the lamas for funeral matters.

Buddhist Monks Care For Quake Victims' Remains

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Priceless Coin Collection Returns Home To China

The Sun Yat-sen copper dollar, issued in 1932, was China's first national coinage. Shen Cichen/NPR hide caption

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Priceless Coin Collection Returns Home To China

Relatives of a former U.S. sailor and coin collector have returned part of his massive and rare collection to the Shanghai Mint Museum. The coins reflect 2,000 years of Chinese history, and the bequest represents the start of a series of returns the family plans.

Priceless Coin Collection Returns Home To China

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