Middle East

World News

Hijacked EgyptAir Flight Is On The Ground In Cyprus

12:57pm March 29, 2016

The plane was diverted while flying from the Egyptian city of Alexandria to the capital Cairo. It was forced to land in Cyprus, where reporter Evie Andreo of the Cyprus Mail talks to Renee Montagne.

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EgyptAir Flight Hijacked While On Route To Cairo

12:07pm March 29, 2016

The plane was diverted while flying from the Egyptian city of Alexandria to Cairo, and landed in Cyprus. Renee Montagne talks to Yiorgos Kakouris, political reporter for Nicosia's Politis newspaper.

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Man Identified As EgyptAir Hijacker Wanted To Talk With Ex-Wife

11:43am March 29, 2016

by Leila Fadel

The incident involving EgyptAir Flight 181 ended with an arrest and all passengers and crew being released. The suspect, whose demands changed during the morning, had partly personal motivations.

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A passenger leaves a hijacked EgyptAir plane after it landed at Larnaca Airport in Cyprus.

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EgyptAir Hijacking Standoff Ends With Arrest In Cyprus

9:57am March 29, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Cypriot officials describe the suspected hijacker as "unstable." They say he wanted to speak to his Cyprus-based ex-wife, and later requested political asylum. All passengers and crew were released.

World News

Hijacking Of EgyptAir Flight Doesn't Appear To Be Terror Related

6:50am March 29, 2016

The plane was diverted while flying from the Egyptian coastal city of Alexandria to the capital, Cairo, and later landed in Cyprus. Rachel Martin talks to Andria Kades a reporter for the Cyprus Mail.

A general view shows the remains of the entrance to the iconic Temple of Bel this week after Syrian government troops recaptured the UNESCO world heritage site from ISIS militants.

World News

PHOTOS: Ancient City Of Palmyra After ISIS Was Driven Out

8:32pm March 28, 2016

by Kevin Beesley

Syrian government troops say they have driven ISIS forces out of the ancient city, but the self-described Islamic State has destroyed many of the city's historical treasures.

World News

In The Ruins Of Palmyra, How Many Of The Syrian City's Antiquities Remain?

5:47pm March 28, 2016

The Syrian army has retaken Palmyra from ISIS. The city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known for its ancient ruins — many of which were destroyed by ISIS. Scholar Amr al-Azm assesses the damage.

World News

Grief And Fury Roil Lahore, Pakistan, One Day After Deadly Blast

5:38pm March 28, 2016

In the wake of the suicide bombing in Lahore, Pakistanis are struggling to come to terms with the violence. The blast in a park killed more than 70 people and wounded more than 300 others.

World News

Amid Ride-Booking Rivalries, Many Cairo Women Turn To Uber For Safe Passage

5:34pm March 28, 2016

by Leila Fadel

In Cairo, taxi drivers are fighting the encroachment of ride-booking services like Uber. But many Egyptians, especially women, say they prefer Uber since they feel safer with the company's drivers.

World News

Photographer Who Vowed To Stay, Flees Violence In Syria

6:21am March 28, 2016

Morning Edition has spoken often to Saeed al-Batal, a Syrian photographer and filmmaker, who is from the besieged town of Douma. Renee Montagne talks to him about what he's doing these days.