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New Rules Against Animal Cruelty Raise The Stake For India's Beef Wars

Many upper caste Hindus consider the cow holy and have long rallied to ban beef eating. Critics of the government see the new animal cruelty rules as an effort to cater to these demands. Allison Joyce/Getty Images hide caption

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Allison Joyce/Getty Images

The Salt

New Rules Against Animal Cruelty Raise The Stake For India's Beef Wars

The rules ban cattle sale for slaughter at livestock markets and come at a time of escalating tensions between Hindu extremists and beef-eating minorities. They could also hurt India's beef exports.

Philippine President Duterte's First Year In Office Is Marked By Bloody War On Drugs

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gives a speech during Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of Ramadan at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on June 27. Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images

Parallels

Philippine President Duterte's First Year In Office Is Marked By Bloody War On Drugs

Some 7,000 alleged drug suspects have been killed so far in Rodrigo Duterte's drug war. And he's more popular than ever — except among the poor, where the drug war's effects are most keenly felt.

Indians Are Nervous And Confused Over Upcoming Tax Changes

On Saturday, India rolls out what is being called a game-changing reform: an overhaul of the country's tax system. But many Indians say they're anxious and unprepared for the momentous occasion.

Indians Are Nervous And Confused Over Upcoming Tax Changes

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World

Philippines' Duterte Is A Divisive Figure, Even Abroad

The first year of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's administration has come to a close. But Filipinos at home and in the U.S. are still deeply divided over his leadership.

Philippines' Duterte Is A Divisive Figure, Even Abroad

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Politics

Morning News Brief: GOP Continues Work On Health Care Bill, JAY-Z Releases New Album

Republican senators are working on revisions to their health care plan. Also, Hong Kong is marking 20 years under Chinese rule, and rapper JAY-Z has a new album.

Morning News Brief: GOP Continues Work On Health Care Bill, JAY-Z Releases New Album

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How Hong Kong's Banks Turned Chinese

Weiqi Zhu, an equity derivatives trader in Hong Kong, is one of an increasing number of financial sector employees from mainland China who are dominating the city's banking sector. Rob Schmitz/NPR hide caption

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Rob Schmitz/NPR

Parallels

How Hong Kong's Banks Turned Chinese

As China celebrates the 20th anniversary of Great Britain's handover of Hong Kong to Chinese control, it can celebrate another type of takeover: the city's financial sector.

How Hong Kong's Banks Turned Chinese

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20 Years After Handover, Hong Kong Residents Reflect On Life Under Chinese Rule

Over the years, Beijing has tightened its political grip over Hong Kong, a city of more than 7 million people, and income inequality has risen. Rob Schmitz/NPR hide caption

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Parallels

20 Years After Handover, Hong Kong Residents Reflect On Life Under Chinese Rule

Great Britain returned Hong Kong to China on June 30, 1997. Since then, Beijing has tightened its political grip and income inequality has grown. But not everyone is unhappy with China's impact.

20 Years After Handover, Hong Kong Residents Reflect On Life Under Chinese Rule

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In China, A Cashless Trend Is Taking Hold With Mobile Payments

A driver uses his smartphone to pay the highway toll with Alipay, an app of Alibaba's online payment service, in the Chinese city of Hangzhou. STR/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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All Tech Considered

In China, A Cashless Trend Is Taking Hold With Mobile Payments

Consumers there are finding convenience and security in using smartphones to pay. An estimated $5.5 trillion was spent through mobile platforms in 2016, about 50 times the amount in the U.S.

In China, A Cashless Trend Is Taking Hold With Mobile Payments

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China's President Visits Hong Kong To Mark 20 Years Of Chinese Rule

This Saturday Hong Kong and China celebrate the 20th anniversary of the territory's return to China from Great Britain. President Xi Jinping plans to attend the ceremonies.

China's President Visits Hong Kong To Mark 20 Years Of Chinese Rule

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In Trump Meeting With South Korean Leader, A Chance To Reaffirm 'Ironclad' Ties

U.S. and South Korean soldiers of the combined 2nd Infantry Division train at Camp Red Cloud in Uijeongbu, South Korea, in 2015. Elise Hu/NPR hide caption

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Parallels

In Trump Meeting With South Korean Leader, A Chance To Reaffirm 'Ironclad' Ties

North Korea will top the agenda as President Trump and South Korea's Moon Jae-in meet Thursday. But whatever tensions brew below the surface, there will be reassurances that the relationship is solid.

In Trump Meeting With South Korean Leader, A Chance To Reaffirm 'Ironclad' Ties

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Kazakhstan Builds Futuristic City For World Expo, But Forgets To Invite Guests

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with reporter James Palmer about his experience at the World Expo in Kazakhstan earlier this month. The world fair has grandiose architecture, booths from more than 100 countries, music, food and even cameo appearances by world leaders, but it doesn't have a huge audience.

Kazakhstan Builds Futuristic City For World Expo, But Forgets To Invite Guests

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U.S. Looks To Revive Talks On North Korea's Nuclear Program

NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with Sue Mi Terry of Bower Group Asia about her participation in a recent meeting with North Korea officials to try to get nuclear talks back on track. She explains why those talks made her conclude that attempts at dialogue with North Korea's leader is a waste of time.

U.S. Looks To Revive Talks On North Korea's Nuclear Program

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Mutant Strains Of Polio Vaccine Now Cause More Paralysis Than Wild Polio

Nurses give the oral polio vaccine to a Syrian child in a refugee camp in Turkey. The oral polio vaccine used throughout most of the developing world contains a form of the virus that has been weakened in the laboratory. But it's still a live virus. Carsten Koall/Getty Images hide caption

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Carsten Koall/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Mutant Strains Of Polio Vaccine Now Cause More Paralysis Than Wild Polio

So far this year, there have been only six cases of wild polio — and 21 cases of vaccine-derived polio, most of them in Syria.

What To Expect From The White House Summit With South Korea's Leader

Moon Jae-in, South Korea's president, (center) will meet with President Trump on Thursday and Friday. Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Parallels

What To Expect From The White House Summit With South Korea's Leader

At a time of growing North Korean weapons capabilities, President Trump and Moon Jae-in will meet Thursday. "We will focus on building a foundation of friendship and trust," says Moon's spokesman.

What To Expect From The White House Summit With South Korea's Leader

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