Middle East

Afghan War Veteran Remains Optimistic After U.S. Withdrawal

4:41pm July 07, 2021

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Aaron O'Connell, a former National Security Council staff member and an Afghan war veteran, about the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Jisr al-Zarqa is home to Palestinian citizens of Israel and one of the poorest parts of the country.

World News

Palestinians Hope Israel's New Government Will Bring Progress To This Poor Town

10:01am July 07, 2021

by Deborah Amos

In the village of Jisr al-Zarqa, residents wish for opportunities available in nearby Jewish towns. They wonder if the new government, which includes an Arab party for the first time, will help.

Former U.S. Ambassador To Afghanistan Discusses U.S. Withdrawal

5:01pm July 06, 2021

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker about the U.S. military withdrawal from the country after nearly 20 years.

Protection Provided By The Pfizer Vaccine May Might Be Fading, Israeli Officials Say

5:01pm July 06, 2021

by Rob Stein

The Pfizer vaccine appears to be waning in terms of preventing any infection or mild disease, but still offers strong protection against severe disease and death, the Israeli Ministry of Health says.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attends a cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem on Sunday, July 4, 2021.

World News

Israel's New Government Is Dealt A Defeat With Vote Over Palestinian Citizenship Law

3:28pm July 06, 2021

by Fatma Tanis

The controversial law would prevent Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza from acquiring residency in Israel even after they marry Palestinians with Israeli citizenship.

The Container Ship That Blocked Suez Canal Is Set To Sail On Wednesday

6:01am July 06, 2021

by Joanna Kakissis

The owners and insurers of the giant container ship Ever Given have announced a settlement with the Suez Canal Authority, which has held the ship since it got stuck in the canal in March.

Poornima Peri, who lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her two sons. Aarit (left), now age 4, is India staying with his grandmother. His mother had planned to pick him up but "from March [2020] onward it was total lockdown," she says. Because of continuin

Health & Safety

Aussies Stranded Abroad Include Hundreds Of Kids, Folks Short On Cash

6:51am July 04, 2021

by Diaa Hadid

Pandemic travel regulations are frustrating parents whose children are visiting family in other countries and those who can't afford the cost of a ticket and a two-week hotel quarantine upon return.

Palestinians May Be Evicted From Jerusalem Neighborhood To Make Way For Biblical Park

4:31pm July 02, 2021

by Deborah Amos

Palestinians in a Jerusalem neighborhood face the threat of having their homes demolished. The move would be to make room for a biblical park of ancient sites sought by Jewish settlers.

U.S. Military Has Withdrawn From Largest Base In Afghanistan, Handed Over Control

4:31pm July 02, 2021

by Tom Bowman

Bagram Airfield was the United States' largest base in Afghanistan. The U.S. military has now withdrawn and handed control over to the Afghan National Security and Defense Force.

U.S. Departs Bagram Airbase

9:22am July 02, 2021

by Diaa Hadid

The base is one of the epicenters of the US presence in Afghanistan.