Middle East

After Nuclear Deal, Iran Pulls Quick Oil Production Rebound

7:51am June 12, 2016

by Jackie Northam

Iran is on track to restore oil production and exports to pre-sanction levels, surprising many analysts. It's one of the areas where Iran has benefited from the nuclear deal it made with world powers.

World News

Civilians Caught In Aleppo Violence

5:18pm June 11, 2016

by Alison Meuse

Syrian president Bashar Assad's vow to retake the entire country promises drawn-out bloody battles that are capturing more civilians in the violence. Children in Aleppo have been killed and injured.

Syrian civilians and soldiers gather at the scene of a double bombing attack on Saturday outside the Sayyida Zeinab shrine, which is revered by Shiites around the world, some 6 miles south of the center of Damascus, state media said.

World News

Two Deadly Blasts Near Holy Shrine Outside Damascus Kill At Least 12 People

8:54am June 11, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

At least 12 people were killed and 55 injured in twin bombings near a revered shrine, Syrian state media reports. The Sayyida Zeinab shrine is seen as a symbolic stronghold of the regime.

World News

Eritrean Suspect Extradited To Italy Denies Being Top Migrant Smuggler

8:42am June 11, 2016

Italian police have arrested a human smuggling kingpin behind the trafficking of Eritrean refugees. But some Eritreans say they have the wrong man. Scott Simon talks with journalist Meron Estefanos.

Drones Lead Archaeologists To New Discovery In Petra, Jordan

6:31pm June 10, 2016

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with archaeologist Sarah Parcak about her team's discovery of the monument in Petra, Jordan — an archaeological park among the richest and most visited in the world. She found the structure using satellite imagery, Google Earth and drones.

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This composite of drone images shows architectural details and measurements (left) and a close-up view of a monumental structure near the center of Petra in Jordan.

World News

Massive Structure Found 'Hiding In Plain Sight' At Ancient Site Of Petra

3:27pm June 10, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Researchers using satellite images and drones discovered a structure the size of an Olympic-size pool near the center of the ancient city in Jordan. But what exactly it was used for remains a mystery.

World News

U.N. Blasted For 'Pandering To Saudi Arabia' Over Children Killed In Yemen

2:22pm June 10, 2016

Mary Louise Kelly talks to Amnesty International's Margaret Huang about the group's criticism of the U.N. for removing Saudi Arabia from the list of countries which harm children during conflicts.

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U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks at the United Nations on Thursday. In a surprising admission, Ban said he came under pressure to remove Saudi Arabia from a list of countries that harm children. The Saudis had been placed on the list because of t

World News

Saudi Arabia Dropped From List Of Those Harming Children; U.N. Cites Pressure

6:06pm June 09, 2016

by Michele Kelemen

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon says he delisted Saudi Arabia because of threats to cut U.N. funding and "the very real prospect that millions of other children would suffer grievously" as a result.

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Israeli soldiers walk near a temporary checkpoint at the entrance of the Palestinian village of Yatta in the West Bank on Thursday after army forces entered the village in search of clues to Wednesday night's shootings in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.

World News

After Attack, Israel Imposes New Movement Restrictions On Palestinians

12:53pm June 09, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Israel says it is suspending tens of thousands of movement permits for Palestinians a day after four Israelis died in a mass shooting at a Tel Aviv food and retail center.

Syrian President Bashar Assad addresses parliament in Damascus on Tuesday, saying he will retake

World News

Bashar Assad's Defiance Points To A Syrian Peace Effort In Tatters

12:35pm June 09, 2016

by Michele Kelemen

The Syrian president says he'll take back "every inch" of his ravaged country. It's the latest sign that U.S. efforts to find a diplomatic resolution are failing.

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