Middle East

World News

Egypt Trumpets Canal's Massive Expansion, But A Windfall's Far From Certain

5:37pm August 07, 2015

by Jackie Northam

Egypt has opened a major extension of the Suez Canal, doubling the number of ships that can pass through it. As the shortest route between Asia and Europe, the canal is most lucrative route in the shipping industry.

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A fighter with Jabhat al-Nusra, the al-Qaida affiliate in Syria, takes down a picture of Syria's President Bashar Assad in the northwestern city of Ariha in May. Jabhat al-Nusra is strong in this area, and recently captured Syrian fighters trained by the

World News

Trained By U.S., Syrian Fighters Stumble As They Hit The Battlefield

5:37pm August 07, 2015

by Alice Fordham

A few dozen moderate rebels were recently sent into northern Syria. But before they could go on their first mission, several were captured. It's the latest sign of trouble with the program.

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Kurdish rebels in northern Syria walk near the devastated town of Kobani last November. The U.S. bombing campaign helped the Kurds push back the Islamic State from the area. But overall, the U.S. operation against ISIS in Iraq and Syria has shown only lim

After A Year Of Bombing ISIS, U.S. Campaign Shows Just Limited Gains

12:46pm August 07, 2015

by David Welna

Airstrikes have helped push back the Islamic State in some places, but the group has gained in other areas. Pentagon officials say the U.S. operation may need another two years or more to succeed.

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Sen. Schumer Sees 'Serious Weakness' In Iran Arms Deal, Won't Back It

7:23am August 07, 2015

The next leader of the Senate's Democrats, New York's Chuck Schumer, says he won't vote for President Obama's Iran deal. It's a big blow coming from the most influential Jewish voice in Congress.

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Rep. Ed Perlmutter shakes hands with Carlyn Meyer and other members of the groups J-Street and MoveOn.org as they urge him to support the Iran nuclear deal at an event in Denver. J-Street plans to spend about $5 million on ads in this fight, which is vast

Lobbyists Spending Millions To Sway The Undecided On Iran Deal

5:19pm August 06, 2015

by Ailsa Chang

The groups' targets? Democrats undecided on whether to accept or reject the deal when they vote this fall. The campaigns include tens of millions of dollars spent on TV ads in nearly two dozen states.

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Girls plays basketball at a school for nearly 2,000 Syrian refugees in Reyhanli, in southern Turkey. The schools, which depends on private donations, is struggling to remain open. The students attend in five separate shifts throughout the day.

World News

A Syrian Refugee School: Nearly 2,000 Students, 5 Shifts, 3 Languages

8:01pm August 05, 2015

by Deborah Amos

Many Syrian refugee children haven't been to school in years. NPR's Deborah Amos visits one school in southern Turkey that serves as a refuge for those lucky enough to attend.

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President Obama speaks about the nuclear deal with Iran at American University in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

Obama Calls Iran Deal 'Most Consequential Foreign Policy Debate' Since Iraq Vote

3:49pm August 05, 2015

by Brakkton Booker

The new agreement over Iran's nuclear program is the strongest non-proliferation agreement ever negotiated, the president says.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., On Why He Supports The Iran Nuclear Deal

8:19am August 04, 2015

The future of the Iran nuclear deal could hinge on Democrats, who are being pulled in two directions. The Obama administration wants them to back the plan, but Israel and pro-Israel lobbying groups want those lawmakers to oppose the deal. U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff is a Jewish Democrat, and the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee. He tells Renee Montagne why he recently decided to support the Iran agreement.

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World News

Israeli Candidate Made A Name For Himself By Slashing Cellphone Rates

1:48am August 04, 2015

by Emily Harris

An Israeli candidate in next month's elections is making a name for himself on economic issues — including the role he played in lowering cellphone rates.

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In Alabama, including this station near Montgomery, gasoline prices are below the national average, in part, because of low fuel taxes.

Oil Prices Tumble Again, Hurting Drillers But Helping Drivers

6:49pm August 03, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

Oil prices are falling, down sharply since mid-June to just over $45 a barrel. That has affected gasoline prices, now down to an average of $2.65 a gallon, about 85 cents less than a year ago.

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