Middle East

World News

U.N. Agency Suspends Food Aid For 1.7 Million Syrian Refugees

2:50pm December 01, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

The World Food Program says it needs $64 million immediately to continue a voucher program that allows refugees in countries bordering Syria to buy food in local shops.

The lowest gas prices in years are seen Wednesday on a fuel sign in Lawrence, Kan. A day later, OPEC decided to maintain current production levels, virtually ensuring continued low prices at the pump.

Oil Prices Tumble After OPEC Holds Firm On Output

11:53am December 01, 2014

by Scott Neuman

Ministers of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries meeting in Austria could not agree to cut production in an effort to stabilize global crude prices.

World News

After Acquittal, Qatar Detains U.S. Couple In Daughter's Death

11:41am December 01, 2014

by Sam Sanders

Matthew and Grace Huang have spent almost a year in a Qatari prison, over the death of their 8-year-old adopted daughter earlier last year. On their way home, the Huang's were detained again.

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World News

In Dubai, Shoppers Hit The Malls For 'White Friday'

6:01pm November 30, 2014

Many in the international city of Dubai celebrated Thanksgiving and then went shopping. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks to correspondent Deborah Amos about the new tradition in the city of shopping malls.

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An Iranian national shops at a popular market in the holy Iraqi Shiite city of Najaf. Recently, the city — where millions of international pilgrims visit every year — has been spared the worst of Iraq's violence.

World News

With Shopping, Holy Sites, Najaf Offers Respite From Iraq's Violence

12:44pm November 30, 2014

by Alice Fordham

When you think of Iraq, you may picture a desert battlefield. But life is not like that everywhere. The southern Shiite heartland of Najaf is full of religious pilgrims and bustling business.

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ISIS And The Corporatization Of Terrorism

6:29pm November 29, 2014

Captured documents show that ISIS's management structure is modern and sophisticated. NPR's Eric Westervelt talks with Bloomberg Businessweek reporter Cam Simpson about their "corporatized terror."

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Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, shown in Tehran in March, supports the nuclear negotiations with the U.S. and other world powers. Iran is now receiving some $700 million a month in sanctions relief. Those watching the negotiations include former U.S. hos

For Former U.S. Hostages, A Deal With Iran Also Remains Elusive

12:05pm November 29, 2014

by Michele Kelemen

Iran is now receiving about $700 million a month in sanctions relief while talks on its nuclear program carry on. That's raising eyebrows among one group of Americans with a traumatic history in Iran.

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World News

Egyptian Court Drops Case Against Ousted Former President

12:05pm November 29, 2014

An Egyptian court has dismissed murder charges against ousted President Hosni Mubarak. NPR's Scott Simon talks with correspondent Leila Fadel about how Egyptians are reacting to the decision.

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A Rosneft oil rig at the Vankor oil field in eastern Siberia. Russia is already feeling the pinch of low oil prices.

Experts Predict Low Oil Prices Through Next Year

11:29am November 28, 2014

by Scott Neuman

Following a decision by OPEC ministers not to cut production, crude prices had fallen to a four-year low before rebounding slightly.

World News

Video Of Woman Dancing On Tehran's Subway Goes Viral

10:23am November 28, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The video was posted to a Facebook page called My Stealthy Freedom showing Iranian women defying the country's strict laws on female dress.