What are 'orphan crops'? And why is there a new campaign to get them adopted? The grass pea is one: a hardy crop that can thrive in a drought. An agriculturist is spearheading an effort to diversity what farmers grow as climate change threatens staples like corn and wheat. Dan Charles
U.S. wants China to use its influence with Iran to calm tensions in the Middle East There's a global diplomatic push to try to avert a broader conflict in the Middle East following Iran's attack on Israel. The U.S. and others are appealing to both sides to calm regional tensions. Leila Fadel
Biden wants to hike tariffs on imports of Chinese steel and aluminum The White House says China uses subsidies and government programs to undercut U.S. steel. President Biden wants to triple tariffs on the imports and take other new steps to curb imports. Asma Khalid
Hawaiian-born sumo wrestler Akebono is dead at 54 Hawaiian-born Akebono was the first foreigner to win the highest ranking in Japan's national sport, sumo wrestling. He died in Tokyo this month, age 54. Anthony Kuhn
Here are 3 solutions to get blood to folks in 'blood deserts.' One is often illegal Doctors have coined a term to describe places where blood for transfusions is not readily available: "blood deserts." When blood banks aren't around, they try different strategies to help patients. Simar Bajaj
Washington D.C. is getting help replacing some of its much loved cherry trees Japan is donating 250 trees to replace the ones being removed due to a seawall repair project around the Tidal Basin. Washington's first cherry trees were also gifts from Japan — planted in 1912.
How can the U.S. counter China's expanding influence in Asia? Court its neighbors President Biden is hosting a meeting with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines. It's an effort by the U.S. to build a network of alliances in the region, partly to compete with China. Anthony Kuhn
Okinawa feels impact of U.S. and Japan military shifts Okinawa, which sits closer to China than to Japan's main islands, is the focus of U.S. and Japanese efforts to beef up defenses in Japan's southwest islands. Anthony Kuhn
All eyes were on Yellen during China trip. People noticed she's good with chosticks U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen wrapped up a trip to China to mend bilateral ties, but Chinese citizens cared far more about what she ate — and how. Emily Feng
President Biden hosts Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a state visit They'll discuss how to deepen cooperation on global security issues, including on China. Shared interests may be overshadowed by a crack in the economic relationship — a takeover bid for U.S. Steel. Franco Ordoñez