NPR World News

Bidding Farewell To The Congo's 'Mother And Father'
As a long Congo River barge journey ends, so, too, does a unique glimpse into the heart of a poor but potentially rich nation grappling with conflict. Despite the hardship, the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo draw great inspiration from the inescapable and mighty river.
Mexican Soldiers Kill 25 In Gunbattle Near Border
Troops were patrolling in the town of General Trevino around noon when they came under fire from a ranch allegedly controlled by the Zetas drug gang, according to a military spokesman who was not authorized to be quoted by name.
Gaza Youth Yearn For Normalcy, Haunted By War
Almost three-quarters of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are younger than 30. Most have never left the tiny, Hamas-ruled coastal territory, have never met an Israeli, and have never known a time when there wasn't a conflict outside their doorstep.
Why We've Given Less To Pakistan's Flood Victims
Americans have given $25 million so far to help victims of Pakistan's flood disaster -- far less than the U.S. donations made in the immediate aftermath of other major disasters. Experts cite the relative lack of news coverage, attitudes toward Pakistan and the nature of the disaster itself.
Gates Says Afghans Should Lead Corruption Fight
The defense secretary said the U.S. will still work to prevent millions of American dollars flowing into the nation from underwriting bribery and graft. Afghan President Hamid Karzai pledged to work against corruption, which is undermining trust in his government.
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U.N. Delays Release Of Report On Congo 'Genocide'
A leaked draft of the report accuses the Rwandan army of possible genocide in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its release was postponed so the Rwandan government, which was infuriated by the accusation, can append its comments.
Pakistani Flood Victims Cope Without Bridges, Aid
Twenty-five percent of Swat's rich croplands were lost to floods. Five weeks into the disaster -- and with no government official in sight -- farmers say their faith in the government's promise to compensate for damages is evaporating. Meanwhile, the distribution of food aid is being held up by red tape.
Greenpeace Activists Held After Leaving Arctic Oil Rig
Four members of the environmental group had clung to the rig for two days to protest drilling in the Arctic. They were forced to abandon their protest because of a storm. The rig is owned by Edinburgh-based Cairn Energy.
Mideast Leaders Agree To 2nd Round Of Talks
In their first face-to-face negotiations in nearly two years, Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Thursday staked out key positions but hinted at compromise. Obama's special envoy said the two sides also set a schedule for more talks; the next session will be in mid-September in the Middle East.
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Can Iraq Lessons Learned Work In Afghanistan?
As the combat mission ends in Iraq, 30,000 additional troops are heading to Afghanistan. Comparisons between the two wars are inevitable. Gen. David Petraeus, who commanded U.S. forces in Iraq, brings to Afghanistan many familiar military faces and the strategy of creating local forces to take control of security at the grass-roots level.
Mideast View On The Proposed Islamic Center
Morning Edition wants to know how people in the Middle East view the debate over the proposed Islamic center near the site of the former World Trade Center in New York. Ramez Maluf, professor of journalism at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, talks to Steve Inskeep about how the debate.
South Korean Christians Try To Help Struggling North
South Korea's large Christian community is divided over how to help people in the North. A majority support efforts to send computers, cell phones and food clandestinely to the North. About 15 percent have pro-North Korean beliefs and favor dialogue with the government there.
State Department Hosts Formal Mideast Peace Talks
Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams are getting down to work at the State Department Thursday -- with low expectations and amid more violence in the West Bank. President Obama hosted a dinner Wednesday night for the visiting Israeli and Palestinian leaders and other would-be peacemakers. The President challenged them to walk the path of peace.
Tony Blair On War, Globalization And 'My Political Life'
The former prime minister of the United Kingdom's memoir, My Life: A Political Journey, is on sale in the U.S. Blair spoke to Steve Inskeep about Iraq, globalization and his political career.
Lively Living Aboard Congo's River-Bound 'Villages'
Travel by water is the cheapest mode of transport in the Congo, and hundreds go by barge. From open-air ablutions and barter and trade on the water to the threat of rebel unrest, barge travel along the nearly 3,000-mile-long Congo River is full of activity punctuated just as often by delays.
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At War's End, U.S. Ship Rescued South Vietnam's Navy
On April 30, 1975, the Vietnam War officially ended. U.S. Navy ships involved in evacuating Americans and Vietnamese were steaming away from Vietnam -- except one. The USS Kirk got a mysterious order to head back. Its mission? To lead the remnants of the South Vietnamese navy to safety.
Anxiety, Anger Over Gaza Attacks Still Alive In Israel
Most Israelis view Gaza as hostile territory ruled by a terrorist group, Hamas, committed to the destruction of the Jewish state. Though cross-border violence has subsided recently, Israelis still feel under attack and remain in a state of hyper-vigilance.
U.S. Charges Pakistan Taliban Leader In CIA Attack
The Justice Department accuses Hakimullah Mehsud of planning the December 2009 attack in which a suicide bomber detonated explosives at a CIA base in Khost, Afghanistan, killing a Jordanian intelligence officer and seven CIA employees. It also placed the Pakistani group on its international terrorism blacklist.
Food, Fuel Prices Spark Deadly Riots In Mozambique
Protesters rampaged through the capital Maputo, throwing stones, looting shops and drawing police fire that killed at least seven people, including at least one child. Mozambicans have seen the price of a loaf of bread rise by 25 percent in the past year.
Second Migrant Survived Massacre In Mexico
An Ecuadorean migrant escaped the massacre and alerted Mexican marines, who found the bodies of 72 people on a ranch near the U.S. border last week. He was thought to be the only survivor, but the Ecuadorean president said he told authorities about another man. Authorities had kept secret information about the man, a Honduran, in order to protect him.







