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Emperor Akihito, Japan's 'Surprising Pacifist,' Steps Down After 30 Years

Japan's Emperor Akihito, with Empress Michiko, waves to well-wishers in the central Japanese prefecture of Mie on April 18. Emperor Akihito takes part in a series of rituals ahead of his abdication. Kazuhiro Ngoi/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Kazuhiro Ngoi/AFP/Getty Images

World

Emperor Akihito, Japan's 'Surprising Pacifist,' Steps Down After 30 Years

April 30, 2019 • Japan's defeat in World War II "produced in him strong feelings against war and its chaos," says a childhood friend. Akihito has expressed deep remorse at home and abroad for Japan's wartime actions.

Emperor Akihito, Japan's 'Surprising Pacifist,' Steps Down After 30 Years

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Donkeys Are Dying Because China Wants Their Hides For A Traditional Remedy

Donkeys in Africa are among those slaughtered so their hides can be sent to China. Ofir Sarfaty/EyeEm/Getty Images hide caption

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Ofir Sarfaty/EyeEm/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Donkeys Are Dying Because China Wants Their Hides For A Traditional Remedy

April 30, 2019 • China reportedly needs 4 million donkey hides a year for the traditional medicine ejiao. They're importing hides from poor countries — and dealing a blow to people whose livelihood depends on donkeys.

Japanese Emperor Akihito Abdicates Throne; Crown Prince To Ascend

Japan's Emperor Akihito (right) leaves after a ritual to report his abdication to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Tuesday. AP hide caption

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AP

Japanese Emperor Akihito Abdicates Throne; Crown Prince To Ascend

April 30, 2019 • The 85-year-old emperor is the first to retire in more than 200 years. His son, the Crown Prince Naruhito, will become emperor on Wednesday.

Japan's Emperor Akihito Abdicates The Chrysanthemum Throne

April 30, 2019 • Akihito, citing failing health, becomes the first Japanese monarch in some two centuries to step down. His reign ends at midnight Tuesday, and then his son, Crown Prince Naruhito, ascends the throne.

Japan's Emperor Akihito Abdicates The Chrysanthemum Throne

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Negotiators Are In Beijing For Talks On Ending U.S.-China Trade War

April 30, 2019 • Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been suggesting that the U.S. and China are closing in on a trade deal. NPR's David Greene talks to Erin Ennis, of the U.S.-China Business Council.

Negotiators Are In Beijing For Talks On Ending U.S.-China Trade War

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Politics

News Brief: Infrastructure Funds, Sudan's Government, Japan's Emperor

April 30, 2019 • Democrats and Republicans seek better ways to fund infrastructure projects. Opposition and military leaders are in talks about Sudan's transition. Japan's emperor abdicates the throne Tuesday.

News Brief: Infrastructure Funds, Sudan's Government, Japan's Emperor

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Business

U.S. Trade Negotiators Resume Trade Talks With China

April 29, 2019 • U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators are back at the bargaining table. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says after months of negotiation, they should know soon whether a final agreement is possible.

U.S. Trade Negotiators Resume Trade Talks With China

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Japan's Emperor To Abdicate Throne For 1st Time In 2 Centuries

April 29, 2019 • Japan's Emperor Akihito will abdicate the throne on Tuesday at 85. Even as the populace celebrates Akihito's pacifist legacy, the world's oldest continuous monarchy struggles to enter the modern age.

Japan's Emperor To Abdicate Throne For 1st Time In 2 Centuries

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Indonesia Plans To Move Its Capital Out Of Jakarta, A City That's Sinking

The central business district skyline is seen at dusk on Monday in Jakarta, Indonesia. Dita Alangkara/AP hide caption

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Dita Alangkara/AP

Indonesia Plans To Move Its Capital Out Of Jakarta, A City That's Sinking

April 29, 2019 • It's not clear when this will happen, or where the new capital will be located. The idea has been out there for decades, though previous leaders have been unable to accomplish the ambitious plan.

Why Is China Placing A Global Bet On Coal?

A Chinese-backed power plant under construction in 2018 in the desert in the Tharparkar district of Pakistan's southern Sindh province. Rizwan Tabassum/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Rizwan Tabassum/AFP/Getty Images

World

Why Is China Placing A Global Bet On Coal?

April 29, 2019 • China has taken dramatic steps to fight climate change, including shutting major coal power plants. But now it plans to build hundreds of coal plants abroad.

Why Is China Placing A Global Bet On Coal?

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Sri Lanka Bans Face Coverings After Easter Sunday Attacks

Sri Lankan soldiers lower the national flag in Colombo on Sunday. President Maithripala Sirisena banned face coverings under an emergency law that went into effect Monday. Manish Swarup/AP hide caption

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Manish Swarup/AP

Sri Lanka Bans Face Coverings After Easter Sunday Attacks

April 29, 2019 • The move by President Maithripala Sirisena was meant to help authorities identify people, part of a new security push after a wave of bombings left the country reeling.

China's Infrastructure Plan Criticized For Harming Other Countries' Environments

April 29, 2019 • China's president spoke to foreign press members in Beijing about efforts for more green development. While China has curtailed its coal-fired plants, it is building such plants in other countries.

China's Infrastructure Plan Criticized For Harming Other Countries' Environments

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After Terror Attacks, Sri Lanka Bans Female Face Coverings

April 29, 2019 • In Sri Lanka, fear persists after the deadly Easter Sunday bombings killed hundreds of people. Under an emergency law, the country is banning women from wearing face coverings.

After Terror Attacks, Sri Lanka Bans Female Face Coverings

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World

India Proposes Controversial Bill Making Religion A Criteria for Refugee Citizenship

April 28, 2019 • India wants to grant citizenship to refugees from nearby countries — unless they're Muslim. Critics say making religion a criteria for citizenship violates India's secular character.

India Proposes Controversial Bill Making Religion A Criteria for Refugee Citizenship

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How India's RSS Fuels Hindu Nationalism

April 28, 2019 • Founded in 1925, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or RSS, runs scout camps and charities. A profile of the paramilitary group which draws comparisons to Europe's far-right.

How India's RSS Fuels Hindu Nationalism

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