You Think It's Hot Where You Are?
In Mitribah, Kuwait, last week the temperature soared to 129.2 degrees. Weather historian Christopher Burt of the website Weather Underground discusses how heat records are documented.
Middle East
After Coup Attempt, Turkish Government Cracks Down On Media
The Turkish government has shut down at least 45 newspapers and 16 television stations, and issued arrest warrants for dozens of journalists.
With 3 U.S. Citizens In Iranian Jail, A Look At What's Driving The Arrests
Three Iranian-Americans remain in jail in Iran, including a father and son who have been behind bars for a year. Why is it that, after a nuclear deal that opened channels of communication, these Americans remain in detention abroad?
Can Russia And The U.S. Really Work Together In Syria?
Some national security leaders are skeptical about Washington's attempted overtures to Moscow to establish better coordination in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria.
Egypt And Turkey: Why A Coup Succeeded In One And Failed In The Other
Both countries have strong militaries wary of conservative Muslim politicians. But as a wealthier, more middle-class country, Turkey rose up when elements of the military tried to take over.
Car Bomb Kills At Least 44 In Kurdish-Held Area Of Syria
Syria's public media agency says 140 people were injured — and that the death toll will likely rise.
Mummified Egyptian Was Just As Sedentary And Carb-Hungry As Modern Men
A 2,200-year-old mummy going on display in Israel shows some of the same ailments modern people suffer from: osteoporosis, tooth decay and other effects of an inactive, carbohydrate-rich lifestyle.
Reflecting On Three Years In Jerusalem
NPR's Emily Harris reviews the past three years in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which have been marked by a lack of serious peace talks and new, sometimes extreme, approaches by both sides.
American Doctor On Conditions In Besieged Syrian City Of Aleppo
NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with Dr. Samer Attar, a Chicago surgeon who recently returned from a volunteer stint at a hospital in Aleppo.
Kidnapping Is A Rising Concern For Aid Workers Around The World
A court award of half a million dollars to a kidnapped aid worker — and an increase in kidnappings — has spurred humanitarian groups to create better security plans.