World

Johana Guardado assembles a laptop on Lenovo's new personal computer production line in Whitsett, N.C.

First U.S. Assembly Plant For China's Lenovo Opens In N.C.

8:14am June 06, 2013

by Leoneda Inge

The Chinese computer maker is trying to boost its brand and U.S. market share as other high-tech firms, including Motorola, plan to manufacture here. North Carolina officials say the plant in Whitsett is a sign of manufacturing's return from overseas.

Queue Listen Now

Samantha Power Picked To Take Over For Rice At U.N.

6:53am June 06, 2013

by Michele Kelemen

President Obama has named a former journalist and activist to represent him at the United Nations. If confirmed, Samantha Power will replace Ambassador Susan Rice, who is returning to the White House to become national security adviser. Power's supporters see her as a voice of conscience in the Obama administration, an advocate for humanitarian interventions.

Queue Listen Now

Spain's King Juan Carlos, his daughter Infanta Cristina and her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, are seen together on May 22, 2006. A corruption scandal involving Urdangarin, as well as the royal family's lifestyle is contributing to the public's diminishing re

World News

With Safaris And Yachts, Spanish King Comes Under Fire

8:16pm June 05, 2013

by Lauren Frayer

King Juan Carlos is suffering his lowest ever approval ratings. Some Spaniards roll their eyes at his high-flying lifestyle and now question the future of the monarchy.

Queue Listen Now

World News

After Protests, Evaluating Turkey's Role As A Democracy

4:06pm June 05, 2013

What started as a small sit-in on Friday in Istanbul grew into a massive demonstration against the Turkish government. That government dismissed the demonstrators as extremists. Steven Cook, of the Council on Foreign Relations, talks about Turkey's changing role as a democracy in the region.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Egyptian Court Verdict Complicates Relations With Washington

9:20am June 05, 2013

by Michele Kelemen

The State Department and several U.S. pro-democracy organizations have reacted strongly to a Cairo court ruling Tuesday. More than 40 foreign and local NGO workers were sentenced to prison for operating without a license. The ruling will likely spur calls in Congress for retaliation.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Sandwich Throwing: Australian For Protest

8:07pm June 04, 2013

Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon takes note of two instances of sandwich throwing, aimed at the Australian prime minister.

Queue Listen Now

Fierce fighting has been reported between President Bashar Assad's forces and rebels around the ancient citadel in Aleppo.

Syrian Conflict Reaches Beyond Borders

6:54pm June 04, 2013

The civil war in Syria is attracting fighters from all over, threatening the region's tenuous stability. Robert Malley of the International Crisis Group tells Fresh Air that "a war in Syria with regional spillover has now become a regional war with a Syrian focus."

Queue Listen Now

In 2005, Lance Cpl. Travis Williams lost his squad to an IED. He was the only survivor.

World News

Sole Survivor: Iraq Rescue Mission Ended In Tragedy

3:52pm June 04, 2013

by NPR Staff

In our latest installment of the StoryCorps Military Voices Initiative, we hear from Lance Cpl. Travis Williams. In 2005, while serving in Iraq, Williams lost his 12-man squad lost his squad to an IED. He was the only survivor.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Obama Meets Xi: A Chance To Make History

2:34pm June 04, 2013

President Barack Obama will meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping in California June 7-8. The rare, informal meeting offers an opportunity to discuss economic, security and environmental objectives. Douglas Paal, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, discusses possible outcomes.

Queue Listen Now

The Spanish city of Santander is using a network of sensors to help improve services and save money. Incidents reported to Santander's command-and-control center, where the city manages data from sensors and smartphone reports made by citizens, are plotte

High-Tech Sensors Help Old Port City Leap Into Smart Future

1:53pm June 04, 2013

by Lauren Frayer

On Spain's Atlantic coast, the city of Santander has installed 12,000 sensors that measure everything from when streetlights need to be dimmed to when trash dumpsters are full — saving millions for cash-strapped public coffers. It's becoming a model for cities worldwide.

Queue Listen Now