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Sunday

Monday

The Birthplace Of 'Gross National Happiness' Is Growing A Bit Cynical

The environment is central to Bhutan's Gross National Happiness. The Index measures a myriad of issue including attitudes on conservation, pollution and waste. Preserving 60% of Bhutan's forests is enshrined in the constitution to maintain the country ecological diversity. Julie McCarthy for NPR hide caption

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Julie McCarthy for NPR

Parallels

The Birthplace Of 'Gross National Happiness' Is Growing A Bit Cynical

Tourists flock to this happy nation and the world has tried to emulate its happiness index. But inside Bhutan, some residents say the country's having difficulty living up to the glowing brand.

Thursday

Sunday

Monday

Saturday

China Pledges Billions In Development Aid

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left walks with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on Saturday at U.N. headquarters in New York. At a U.N. conference, Xi pledged billions in Chinese aid to developing nations. Bryan R. Smith/AP hide caption

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Bryan R. Smith/AP

The Two-Way

China Pledges Billions In Development Aid

President Xi Jinping, speaking at a United Nations conference in New York, says Beijing hopes to increase its share to a total of $12 billion by 2030.

Wednesday

Monday

Mechanization Brings Quick Change To Borneo Region Known For 'Slow Rice'

Workers with Ceria wait for a pipe-welding machine to finish connecting two sections of plastic irrigation pipe in Bario, Malaysia. The company has brought mechanized farming to the Kelabit Highlands. Jerry Redfern for NPR hide caption

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Jerry Redfern for NPR

The Salt

Mechanization Brings Quick Change To Borneo Region Known For 'Slow Rice'

A company is introducing mechanized rice farming to the interior of Malaysian Borneo for the first time. Scientists say the change may damage the bonds between the local people and their environment.

Friday

Show Us The Aid: Anger In An Ancient Nepali Town

A grandmother and her grandson sit on the belongings that they have salvaged from their collapsed homes on April 29, 2015 in Bhaktapur, Nepal. Omar Havana/Getty Images hide caption

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Omar Havana/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Show Us The Aid: Anger In An Ancient Nepali Town

Earthquake victims in Bhaktapur need food, water and shelter. They assert that the government is not delivering.

Show Us The Aid: Anger In An Ancient Nepali Town

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Wednesday

From Horses To High-Rises: An Insider 'Unmasks' China's Economic Rise

As China continues its massive economic growth, especially in cities, the government continues to severely limit people's rights. Is that system sustainable? Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

From Horses To High-Rises: An Insider 'Unmasks' China's Economic Rise

Over the past 25 years, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson watched China turn into the world's second largest economy. He explains what could halt the country's massive growth.

From Horses To High-Rises: An Insider 'Unmasks' China's Economic Rise

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Sunday

Lowering A City's Homeless Population — By Forcing The Homeless Out

The city of Hollywood, Fla., bought the Homeless Voice shelter from its owner, a longtime advocate for the homeless who agreed to stay away from the city for the next 30 years. Greg Allen hide caption

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Greg Allen

National

Lowering A City's Homeless Population — By Forcing The Homeless Out

Officials in Hollywood, Fla., have long battled a controversial homeless advocate. Now they've bought his shelter — and made a deal for him and the homeless people who stayed there to go elsewhere.

Lowering A City's Homeless Population — By Forcing The Homeless Out

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Tuesday

Tuesday

European Allies Defy U.S. In Joining China-Led Development Bank

Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and Asian leaders approved an agreement on the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Beijing in Oct., 2014. European countries are beginning to sign up too. Takaki Yajima/AP hide caption

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Takaki Yajima/AP

The Two-Way

European Allies Defy U.S. In Joining China-Led Development Bank

Germany, Italy, and France have become members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, one week after the U.K. joined. The U.S. says there's no need for another international lending institution.

Tuesday

Peace Corps Teams Up With First Lady To 'Let Girls Learn'

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama unveiled the Let Girls Learn program at the East Room of the White House on Tuesday. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Peace Corps Teams Up With First Lady To 'Let Girls Learn'

The Peace Corps will recruit and train about 650 additional volunteers to focus on girls' education around the world. The expansion is part of a larger program launched by Michelle Obama Tuesday.

Sunday

He's Half-Kenyan And Half-German. And He Believes 'We're All The Same'

David Hermlin is a singer, dancer, musician and songwriter — oh, and a global activist, too. Sample lyric: "I will fight for my dream, and I will never give up." Courtesy of David Hermlin hide caption

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Courtesy of David Hermlin

Goats and Soda

He's Half-Kenyan And Half-German. And He Believes 'We're All The Same'

David Hermlin, 14, is a realist and idealist. He knows it'll take many years to get rid of poverty and disease. But by speaking out and writing songs with a message, he hopes to make a difference.