More Deaths Today In Syrian City Of Homs, Residents Say
Forces loyal to President Bashar Assad are again shelling the city, according to reports from Homs. There's also been fighting reported in some other places. >>
World Headlines
More Than Miso: Food Writer In Japan Records Struggling Region's Cuisine
In a new cookbook, food writer Elizabeth Andoh tells the story of the cuisine of Japan's Tohoku region, which was hard hit by last year's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident. Andoh says it's important to document the region's cuisine now, because traditional dishes often disappear during periods of upheaval.
Fighting Fit, Venezuela's Chavez Roars Back
Last year, cancer nearly felled Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The long-serving and outspoken leader disappeared to Cuba for treatment for weeks at a time. Now, he has regained his bluster and is promising to crush his opponents as they mount a challenge to his rule.
Escaped 'Rhino' Successfully Captured In Tokyo
It's an annual event: Zookeepers practice what to do in the event of an escape by netting a pretty funny-looking "animal." In this case, it was two guys dressed up like a rhinoceros. It's all on video.
Greeks Agree To Austerity With E.U. And IMF
After marathon talks, Greek politicians finally agreed to tough austerity measures to qualify for another bailout from the European Union and International Monetary Fund. The measures will likely pass parliament, but it remains to be seen whether the deal can save Greece from eventual bankruptcy. The Greek finance minister flew to Brussels to see if the deal really will pass muster with the E.U.
Wael Ghonim: Creating A 'Revolution 2.0' In Egypt
The protests that led to the Egyptian revolution last year were organized in part by Wael Ghonim, who used an anonymous Facebook page to coordinate the demonstrations. In his new book, Ghonim explains how social media helped transform his country.
What's The Truth About The War In Afghanistan?
Lt. Col. Daniel Davis ignited a controversy when he wrote that what he saw in Afghanistan "bore no resemblance to rosy official statements by U.S. military leaders." U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Ma), defense analyst Tom Donnelly and McClatchy Newspapers correspondent Johnathan Landay discuss the realities of the war in Afghanistan.
'We Are Still Awake,' Says Egyptian Protester
It's been nearly one year since Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stepped down, and the country is still experiencing the growing pains of transition. Last year, host Michel Martin spoke with a young protester minutes after Mubarak's resignation. Now, Martin catches up with her again to see if she's still optimistic about changes in her country.
Global Trends Expected To Dominate Fashion Week
For the next eight days, designers from around the world will show off their fall collections on runways and online. NPR's Michel Martin checks in with Robin Givhan of Newsweek and The Daily Beast to discuss how globalization and technology are influencing runways and transforming the industry.
Does Russia Have A Cogent Middle East Strategy?
Russia's support for Syrian President Bashar Assad has put it on the defensive, and its reluctance to embrace the Arab Spring has alienated traditional friends. This week, Russia vetoed a U.N. resolution aimed at pressuring Assad, and reports began circulating of a tiff between Russia and Qatar.
U.S. Strategy For Afghan War Reaches Critical Stage
The U.S. and NATO have pledged to stay in Afghanistan through the end of 2014 and hand off responsibility for security to Afghan troops by then. How to get to that point, though, is not clear. And recent statements by key U.S. officials have only confused things more.
Obama, Monti To Discuss Europe's Debt Crisis
Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti meets President Obama at the White House Thursday for talks, just as confidence in Italy's economy is beginning to return. The technocrat who succeeded the flamboyant Silvio Berlusconi is trying to change Italy's image abroad.
Drilling Team Finally Hits Antarctica's Liquid Lake
After years of trying, Russian scientists say they have drilled into an Antarctic lake that is buried beneath more than two miles of ice. They are looking for signs of life that haven't been exposed to sky in 20 million years.
What Do Democracy Promoters Actually Do?
Egypt might put nongovernmental workers on trial because it says they are operating illegally. But the U.S. insists Egypt needs to allow the pro-democracy groups to continue their work. American groups say they are helping political parties develop platforms around citizens' needs.
China Laces Up Its Chuck Taylors
China's consumer market is massive, and breaking in isn't easy. Some U.S. products have struggled. But in recent years, an old American sneaker has become an unlikely success story: the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star.
A New Weapon Against Nukes: Social Media
A top State Department official wants to unleash the power of Twitter, Facebook and other services to crowdsource the fight to control the world's nuclear weapons.
China's Demolition Derby Turns History Into Rubble
Historic buildings in Beijing are being demolished in the pursuit of quick profit. Even the home of the architect who urged Mao Zedong to preserve Beijing's old city has fallen to the wreckers' ball, sparking considerable outrage. And the epidemic of destruction is spreading to new buildings, too.
In Russia, Punk-Rock Riot Girls Rage Against Putin
Anti-government protests in Russia are taking many forms — one of the latest is a feminist collective's performance in Red Square of a song criticizing Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The guerrilla group says it plans more exploits before March's presidential elections.
Tensions Bubbling Again Over Falkland Islands
It's been 30 years since Britain and Argentina went to war over the Falkland Islands. The British won, leaving the islands off the coast of Argentina in British hands. While the war may be over, tensions between the two countries about who owns the Falklands have risen in recent months. Host Robert Siegel talks with professor Mark Jones of Rice University for more.
In Restive Syrian City, Signs Of Sectarian Violence
Activists say three families, including women and children, were stabbed or shot at close range just outside their houses in Homs on Tuesday. Human rights groups say killings like these are becoming increasingly sectarian, which doesn't bode well for a conflict that's already spinning out of control.
Egyptian Judge Details Charges Against NGO Workers
Egyptian authorities have released details of the charges against 43 people, including 19 Americans, who worked for democracy-building NGOs around the country. Cairo says the suspects were carrying out political, not civil society activities, particularly after the revolution began just over a year ago.
Hamas, Palestinians Sign Unity Agreement
Robert Siegel speaks with Daoud Kuttab, director general of a Palestinian media organization and the Community Media Network in Amman, Jordan, about the unity agreement between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
Israel Isn't Going To Attack Us, Iran's U.N. Ambassador Says
"Iran is so strong," Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee tells NPR, and "the consequences would be devastating for [Israel] and maybe for whoever helped them. ... There are wise enough people around the world to tell them not to do such a crazy thing."
Finding 'Life, Death And Hope' In A Mumbai Slum
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Katherine Boo spent more than three years in Mumbai's Annawadi slum. In her new book, Behind the Beautiful Forevers, she profiles people living in extreme poverty — right in the shadow of luxury hotels.
Egyptian Judge Says Foreign Groups Have Been Working There Illegally
Authorities have shut some foreign groups, including ones run by Americans, because of what they say may be the organizations' support of protesters. Among those prevented from leaving is the son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Report: Pentagon 'Beginning Review Of Syria Options'
"The Pentagon and the U.S. Central Command have begun a preliminary internal review of U.S. military capabilities," CNN is reporting. But U.S. officials also stress that they are committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
5 Reasons Why Israel Might Bomb Iran, Or Not
After years of talking about the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program, Israel says the time for action is drawing near. But not everyone shares Israel's assessment, and the United States and others still want to pursue other options to pressure Iran.
Concern Elevates That Israel Will Strike Iran
Analysts speculate that Israel will strike Iran because of its nuclear facilities. U.S. officials are said to oppose an Israeli strike but think it may come in the spring. Steve Inskeep talks with Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace about how tensions with Iran have escalated.
U.S. To Scale Back Diplomatic Staff In Iraq
U.S. combat troops are gone from Iraq and soon, up to half the diplomatic staff will leave too. State Department officials say it's part of a plan to scale back embassy operations there. But conflicts with the Iraqi government may also be driving the decision. Tim Arango, a reporter with The New York Times, talks to Steve Inskeep about the decision.
India's Coffee Consumption Doubles Over Last Decade
Starbucks recently announced it is expanding into India. Long a nation of tea lovers, India's youth are increasingly opting for coffee. The dramatic rise of coffee houses there, not only highlights a change in taste, but a cultural shift where young affluent Indians are more interested in global trends than ever before.
Previously Calm, Unrest Reaches Syrian Capital
As Western nations increasingly push to end the violence in Syria, tension has reached the capital Damascus. Last June, a woman there who blogs under the pseudonym "Jasmine Roman," described Damascus as a city removed from the demonstrations that were taking place elsewhere in the country. Renee Montagne talks with her again, to see how things have changed 11 months after the anti-government uprising began in Syria.
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