World News

Sen. McCain Urges U.S. To Do More For Syrian Rebels

2:32pm June 07, 2013

by Michele Kelemen

Sen. John McCain, just back from a quick foray to rebel-held territory in Syria, is pushing the Obama administration to do more to help rebels topple Bashar Assad's regime. His call comes as rebels lose ground in their fight, and as skepticism rises about the U.S.-Russian plans for a peace conference.

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California Hosts U.S.-China Summit

5:32am June 07, 2013

by Kirk Siegler

There's significance behind the choice of California as the venue for the U.S.-China summit between presidents Barack Obama and Xi Jinping. The state is home to more than a third of the China-born population in the U.S., and Chinese-backed investment groups have been pouring billions of dollars into real estate property and private companies based in California. At the same time, exports of California goods to China are surging, and state leaders are bullish about capitalizing on new markets there.

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Diners drinking raki, a traditional Turkish alcoholic drink flavored with anise, at a restaurant in Istanbul.

Not Everyone Cheers Turkey's Move To Tighten Alcohol Rules

4:46am June 07, 2013

by Peter Kenyon

Among the many reasons for ongoing riots in Turkey: A recent law restricting the advertising and sale of alcohol. Secular Turks see the new rules as the latest effort by the ruling AK Party to impose religious values on the population.

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German Garcia-Velutini, a banker, was kidnapped in Caracas and held for 11 months in 2009. Now, he says, he is imprisoned by his bodyguards and feels free only when he is out of the country.

World News

For Venezuelans, Kidnappings Are Simply Business As Usual

8:18pm June 06, 2013

by Steve Inskeep

Latin American cities rank as the most violent in the world. The region suffers from sky-high homicide rates, drug wars and gang violence. NPR is examining the region's turmoil in a series of reports, beginning with a look at the rampant kidnapping problem in Venezuela.

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World News

What Does China's Leader Want From The U.S.?

12:10pm June 06, 2013

by Frank Langfitt

Chinese President Xi Jinping says he wants to build a new great power relationship with the United States at this week's summit with President Obama.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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