World News

Peshmerga look out from a front-line outpost — a few sandbags, soldiers, and grenades perched on the brow of a hill — to the eastern Iraqi town of Jalula. The Kurdish fighters are grappling with how to combat changing ISIS tactics.

World News

Ambushes, Mines And Booby Traps: ISIS Militants Change Tack

7:01am October 22, 2014

by Alice Fordham

In northern Iraq, Kurdish fighters have won back territory from the so-called Islamic State only to lose it again. ISIS is using a range of explosives, inflicting heavy Kurdish casualties.

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World News

Foreign Fighters A Fixture Of Conflict Throughout Modern History

7:01am October 22, 2014

Dutch bikers joined forces with Kurdish fighters in Iraq. Europeans have joined the ISIS ranks. But foreign fighters — volunteers that fight for a cause, and not for money — aren't a new idea. Robert Siegel talks with David Malet of the University of Melbourne, about foreign fighters over the last few centuries.

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World News

With New President, Economic Optimisim Returns To Afghanistan

7:01am October 22, 2014

by Sean Carberry

For most of 2014, Afghanistan was suffering from economic paralysis as its presidential election teetered on the brink of collapse. The inauguration of President Ashraf Ghani eased tensions and buoyed optimism that business will turn around.

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World News

Pistorius Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Culpable Homicide

7:01am October 22, 2014

Audie Cornish speaks with reporter Nastaysya Tay from Pretoria, South Africa, about the sentencing of runner Oscar Pistorius in the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

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Angie Gardea depends on her job at a hair salon to put food on the table. But because of the Ebola outbreak, business has been slow. Customers are afraid to come in.

For Healthy Liberians, Life Continues — With Some Adjustments

7:01am October 22, 2014

by Jon Hamilton

The million-plus healthy residents of Liberia's capital, Monrovia, are doing their best to maintain their lives in a city where Ebola has killed more than 1,300.

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World News

North Korea Allows Detained American To Leave

7:01am October 22, 2014

by Michele Kelemen

An American held by North Korea since June was freed on Tuesday. The U.S. State Department confirmed that Jeffrey Fowle was released following negotiations.

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After losing most of his family to Ebola, health worker Alexander Kollie (right) is building a new life with son Kollie James, the 1,000th survivor of the disease to be cared for by Doctors Without Borders.

My Son Is Doctors Without Borders' 1,000th Ebola Survivor

7:19pm October 21, 2014

by Alexander Kollie

Liberian health worker Alexander Kollie lost his wife, daughters and brother to Ebola. Then his son tested positive for the disease. He survived, and now father and son are building a new life.

Will A Sting, A Court Award And A Protest Help Stop Global Sex Trafficking?

6:36pm October 21, 2014

by Marc Silver

Stories of trafficking — including a sting using a "Walking Dead" actress — are making headlines. An expert talks about the practice, which victimizes millions around the world.

Oscar Pistorius' Sentencing And The Classic True Crime Novel

3:21pm October 21, 2014

by Mandy Wiener

Oscar Pistorius, superstar athlete, was back in court this week for his sentencing hearing, after a culpable homicide conviction. Journalist Mandy Wiener says his case reminds her of a favorite book.

Pro-democracy protesters shout slogans during a standoff with police outside the central government offices in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on Wednesday.

World News

Free Speech In Hong Kong, Then And Now

2:37pm October 21, 2014

by Frank Langfitt

NPR's Frank Langfitt has traveled to Hong Kong since 1997, when the former British colony reverted to Chinese rule. Back then, residents spoke openly and gave their full names. Not anymore.

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