Middle East

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit in December against the federal government, in hopes of halting the arrival of Syrian refugees. Today, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit.

Court Dismisses Texas Lawsuit To Block Syrian Refugees

5:02pm June 16, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

The state said it was not adequately consulted by the federal government about resettlement, but the judge ruled the state has no authority over immigration decisions by the federal government.

Syrian refugees at a makeshift camp on the Greek-Macedonian border, near the northern Greek village of Idomeni, on May 26. President Obama wants to bring 10,000 Syrian refugees to the U.S. this year. Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential n

Fact Check: Donald Trump And Syrian Refugees

5:10pm June 15, 2016

by Michele Kelemen

President Obama wants to bring 10,000 Syrian refugees to the U.S. this year. Donald Trump says there is a "tremendous flow" coming into the U.S. and he wants to suspend the program.

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The 'Turkey' apricot, a hand-coloured engraving after a drawing by Augusta Innes Withers (1792-1869), from the first volume of John Lindley's Pomological Magazine (1827-1828). The Romans dubbed the apricot the "precious one." Poets praised its beauty. The

'Moon Of The Faith:' A History Of The Apricot And Its Many Pleasures

11:24am June 14, 2016

by Joel Denker

The Romans dubbed it the "precious one." Poets praised its beauty. The conquering Arabs took it to the Mideast, where the luxurious fruit was exploited in sugary confections.

Tashfeen Malik (left), pledged allegiance to the Islamic State on Facebook just before she and her husband, Syed Farook, went on a shooting spree that left 14 dead in San Bernardino, Calif., last December. The couple is shown here in a 2014 photo. In just

A Mass Shooter 'Pledges Allegiance' To ISIS. What Does This Mean?

4:50pm June 13, 2016

by Greg Myre

Some see the shooters as seeking maximum publicity. Others say the Islamic State is inspiring terrorist attacks in the U.S. and in Europe, and needs to be routed as quickly as possible.

Tourists sunbathe in a resort in Sharm el-Sheikh. Tourism has fallen dramatically since a Russian jet crashed after taking off from the town last November.

Health & Safety

Tourists Use Facebook To Support Sharm El-Sheikh During Tough Times

10:00am June 13, 2016

by Malaka Gharib

Tourism to the popular Egyptian resort dropped dramatically after the plane crash last fall. But social media keeps tourists and residents connected.

World News

Analysts Probe Whether Abu Sayyaf Has Pledged Allegiance To ISIS

8:00am June 13, 2016

by Michael Sullivan

In the Philippines, the recent beheading of a Canadian citizen re-focused attention on Abu Sayyaf, an al-Qaida-linked group, that now, some say is turning toward ISIS.

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After Nuclear Deal, Iran Pulls Quick Oil Production Rebound

7:51am June 12, 2016

by Jackie Northam

Iran is on track to restore oil production and exports to pre-sanction levels, surprising many analysts. It's one of the areas where Iran has benefited from the nuclear deal it made with world powers.

World News

Civilians Caught In Aleppo Violence

5:18pm June 11, 2016

by Alison Meuse

Syrian president Bashar Assad's vow to retake the entire country promises drawn-out bloody battles that are capturing more civilians in the violence. Children in Aleppo have been killed and injured.

Syrian civilians and soldiers gather at the scene of a double bombing attack on Saturday outside the Sayyida Zeinab shrine, which is revered by Shiites around the world, some 6 miles south of the center of Damascus, state media said.

World News

Two Deadly Blasts Near Holy Shrine Outside Damascus Kill At Least 12 People

8:54am June 11, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

At least 12 people were killed and 55 injured in twin bombings near a revered shrine, Syrian state media reports. The Sayyida Zeinab shrine is seen as a symbolic stronghold of the regime.

World News

Eritrean Suspect Extradited To Italy Denies Being Top Migrant Smuggler

8:42am June 11, 2016

Italian police have arrested a human smuggling kingpin behind the trafficking of Eritrean refugees. But some Eritreans say they have the wrong man. Scott Simon talks with journalist Meron Estefanos.