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World News

Violence In Syria's Capital Escalates, Along With Refugee Crisis

9:40am February 21, 2013

Fighting in Damascus has escalated, and the U.N. says 5,000 Syrian refugees are fleeing every day. The humanitarian crisis is growing along the borders with Turkey and Lebanon, and Israel launched its first airstrike inside Syria on Wednesday, reportedly targeting weapons destined for Hezbollah.

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Rabbi Susan Silverman (center, left), the sister of American comedian Sarah Silverman, along with her teenage daughter Hallel Abramowitz (center, right), are arrested by Israeli police as they leave the Western Wall in Jerusalem, on Monday.

Women In Prayer Shawls Detained At Judaism's Holiest Site

9:40am February 21, 2013

by Larry Abramson

Police detained 10 women for donning prayer shawls at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Monday. They are part of the group Women of the Wall, which is fighting to worship in the same manner as men do at Judaism's holiest site.

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Defense Cuts May No Longer Be Political Sacred Cow

9:17am February 21, 2013

by Scott Horsley

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said the looming automatic spending cuts will damage U.S. national security. But the warnings don't appear to be moving the needle with lawmakers or the American public.

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Convicted ex-terrorist Mahmudi Haryono recounts his experiences while sitting at a table at the restaurant where he works in Semarang, Indonesia. The restaurant is one of three founded by social entrepreneur and reformed radical Noor Huda Ismail, to help

An Indonesian Extremist Trades Rifle For Spatula

9:02am February 21, 2013

by Anthony Kuhn

Between 2002 and 2009, homegrown Indonesian militants staged deadly attacks almost yearly. The story of one former terrorist-turned-chef — and his unrealized dreams of global jihad — help illustrate why terrorism hasn't flourished in the Muslim-majority country.

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Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., checks his phone before a hearing on Capitol Hill in September.

Meet The Virginian Shaping The House GOP's Immigration Plan

8:24am February 21, 2013

by David Welna

Republican Rep. Bob Goodlatte is charged with drafting the House immigration bill. He is against a path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants but says the "broken" system needs work. And he says President Obama "should calm down, back off and let the Congress do its work."

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National

Secret Menus Give Restaurants A Not-So-Secret Boost

8:06am February 21, 2013

by Gigi Douban

Secret menus aren't new, but more restaurants are trying them out in order to set themselves apart and increase sales. Panera Bread, for instance, has rolled out a new secret menu with low-carb, health-conscious options to appeal to a new group of customers.

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One Place You May Notice The Sequester: At The Airport

5:52am February 21, 2013

by Brian Naylor

Officials predict that cutbacks at the FAA could lead to takeoff delays and fewer flights. Unless Congress acts, across-the-board spending cuts are scheduled to take effect March 1.

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Aereo allows users to connect to a distant antenna — a tiny device that acts like an old set of rabbit ears — and watch broadcast TV channels on their computer, tablet or smartphone. Currently the service is available only in New York City, and it's e

Arts
Economy

Amid Lawsuits, Aereo Brings Broadcast TV To The Internet

5:52am February 21, 2013

by NPR Staff

Backed by broadcasting powerhouse Barry Diller, a new service picks up broadcast TV signals and makes them available over the Web — and the TV networks don't like that one bit. Currently available only in New York City, Aereo is planning to expand ... if it makes it through the legal challenges.

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Pakistani Muslim cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri (center), speaks to a crowd from a bulletproof box in Islamabad in January. The cleric recently returned to Pakistan after years in Canada, and his calls for an end to corruption have brought supporters to the street

World News

Controversial Cleric Stirs Protests Upon Return To Pakistan

8:34pm February 20, 2013

by Jackie Northam

Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri returned to his home country late last year, after spending eight years in Canada. The cleric has ignited a disgruntled electorate by taking on Pakistan's government, saying it has failed to curb militancy or fix the economy. His critics call him a demagogue who's more interested in the limelight.

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The recession put a dent in Sims-Wood's savings, and she expects she'll have to stay in the workforce "forever."

When A Bad Economy Means Working 'Forever'

8:34pm February 20, 2013

by Ina Jaffe

Janet Sims-Wood, 67, is like millions of other seniors still working in order to make ends meet. For the part-time librarian, the recession put a huge dent in her savings, so she expects she'll have to work as long as her health allows.

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