World News

U.S. Abstains From U.N. Vote Calling To End Cuban Embargo

4:47pm October 26, 2016

by Michele Kelemen

For the first time in a quarter century, the United States is abstaining on a United Nations vote calling for an end to the embargo on Cuba. This comes nearly two years after President Obama and Raul Castro announced a warming of relations between the two nations.

Queue Listen Now

Former U.S. Marine-Turned-Writer Returns To Iraq Over A Decade Later

4:47pm October 26, 2016

Elliot Ackerman is a decorated former Marine who was an infantry officer in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004. He just returned to Fallujah on assignment for Esquire magazine and tells NPR's Kelly McEvers about the changes in the city after it was liberated from ISIS. He also visited the front lines in the battle for Mosul.

For First Time, U.S. Abstains On U.N. Resolution Criticizing Cuba Embargo

3:52pm October 26, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The U.S. has always opposed the annual U.N. resolution calling for an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba, but it abstained this time. The White House opposes the embargo and has taken steps to ease it.

Wallonia's premier, Paul Magnette, (center) leaves Tuesday after talks at Belgium's Foreign Ministry on the trade agreement between the European Union and Canada. All 29 governments involved support the deal, which has been seven years in the making, but

World News

29 Countries Want A Trade Deal — And Wallonia Is Still Blocking It

3:43pm October 26, 2016

by Jackie Northam

Thursday was to be signing day for a major trade pact between Canada and the European Union. But Belgium's small Wallonia region remains opposed.

Elizabeth Tracey Mae Wettlaufer, a former nurse accused of murdering eight elderly patients, leaves the courthouse Tuesday in Woodstock, Ontario.

World News

Former Nurse Accused Of Murdering 8 Nursing Home Patients In Canada

3:36pm October 26, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

If Elizabeth Tracey Mae Wettlaufer, 49, is found guilty, she would be one of the worst serial killers in Canada's history. Police say the victims were administered a drug.

Sharbat Gula, subject of the famous "Afghan Girl" image, is in a Pakistani jail over alleged ID fraud. In 1984, Gula's brief encounter with photographer Steve McCurry, seen here next to images of Gula, led to a cover photo for National Geographic.

World News

Woman From Famous 'Afghan Girl' Photo Is Arrested In Pakistan

1:22pm October 26, 2016

by Bill Chappell

Sharbat Gula was around 12 years old when her image became the most famous National Geographic cover in the magazine's history. She's now in her 40s.

Queue Listen Now

Central Rome's Piazza Navona is seen reflected in a heart-shaped balloon in 2014. The arrival of a McDonald's near the piazza has horrified some Romans.

World News

Italian Intellectuals Appeal To UNESCO For Help With 'Siege' By McDonald's

1:01pm October 26, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Rome is under attack — by fast food joints, cheap souvenir shops and pubs, an open letter says. The "barbarism" has led hopeless Romans to beg the U.N. agency for help preserving cultural landmarks.

World News

Gambia Says It Will Leave The 'International Caucasian Court'

11:31am October 26, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

Gambia is the third nation this month to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, accusing the tribunal of being biased against Africans.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attends a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (not pictured) at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Wednesday. Duterte made a pitch for enhanced economic ties with Japan.

World News

Rodrigo Duterte Says He Wants All Foreign Troops Out Of Philippines

9:34am October 26, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

U.S. troops are in place at several Philippine military camps under an agreement made before Duterte became president. "We will survive without the assistance of America," he said Wednesday in Japan.

World News

South Africa Withdraws From International Court; Others Follow

7:33am October 26, 2016

by Ofeibea Quist-Arcton

For years, African leaders have criticized the International Criminal Court in The Hague — arguing that it targets only Africans, while failing to go after other alleged global wrongdoers.

Queue Listen Now