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- Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment In Homs
- Syrian forces fired mortars and rockets Thursday in the rebellious city of Homs, the latest salvo in a weeklong assault that has killed hundreds as President Bashar Assad's regime tries to crush increasingly militarized pockets of dissent.
- U.S. Strategy For Afghan War Reaches Critical Stage
- The U.S. and NATO have pledged to stay in Afghanistan through the end of 2014 and hand off responsibility for security to Afghan troops by then. How to get to that point, though, is not clear. And recent statements by key U.S. officials have only confused things more.
- Does Russia Have A Cogent Middle East Strategy?
- By seeming to defend Syrian president Bashar Assad, Russia has put itself on the defensive. The Soviet Union was a staunch backer of the Arab world. But Russia's reluctance to embrace the popular protests of the Arab Spring has alienated traditional friends. This week, after Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution aimed at pressuring Assad to stop his crackdown, reports began circulating of a tiff between Russia and Qatar.
- Obama To Hold Talks With Italy's Prime Minister
- Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti meets in Washington today with President Obama for talks that mark the "return of Italy to the table." The technocrat who succeeded the flamboyant Silvio Berlusconi is trying to change Italy's image abroad.
- Drilling Team Finally Hits Antarctica's Liquid Lake
- After years of trying, Russian scientists say they have drilled into an Antarctic lake that is buried beneath more than two miles of ice. They are looking for signs of life that haven't been exposed to sky in 20 million years.
- China Laces Up Its Chuck Taylors
- China's consumer market is massive, and breaking in isn't easy. Some U.S. products have struggled. But in recent years, an old American sneaker has become an unlikely success story: the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star.
- What Do Democracy Promoters Actually Do?
- Egypt might put nongovernmental workers on trial because it says they're operating illegally. But the U.S. insists Egypt needs to allow the pro-democracy groups to continue their work. American groups say they are helping political parties develop platforms around citizens' needs.
- Israel Isn't Going To Attack Us, Iran's U.N. Ambassador Says
- "Iran is so strong," Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee tells NPR, and "the consequences would be devastating for [Israel] and maybe for whoever helped them. ... There are wise enough people around the world to tell them not to do such a crazy thing."
- Greek PM, Debt Inspectors End Talks
- Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said the main point of contention — cuts in pensions — has not been resolved. He says there must be an agreement before a planned meeting of eurozone finance ministers later Thursday.
- American Convicted Of Stealing Trade Secrets
- However, the Chinese-born Motorola employee was acquitted of more serious charges of corporate espionage. The trial in Chicago highlighted fears about China pilfering U.S. company secrets.
- A New Weapon Against Nukes: Social Media
- A top State Department official wants to unleash the power of Twitter, Facebook and other services to crowdsource the fight to control the world's nuclear weapons.
- China's Demolition Derby Turns History Into Rubble
- Historic buildings in Beijing are being demolished in the pursuit of quick profit. Even the home of the architect who urged Mao Zedong to preserve Beijing's old city has fallen to the wreckers' ball, sparking considerable outrage. And the epidemic of destruction is spreading to new buildings, too.
- In Russia, Punk-Rock Riot Girls Rage Against Putin
- Anti-government protests in Russia are taking many forms — one of the latest is a feminist collective's performance in Red Square of a song criticizing Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The guerrilla group says it plans more exploits before March's presidential elections.
- Egyptian Judge Details Charges Against NGO Workers
- Egyptian authorities have released details of the charges against 43 people, including 19 Americans, who worked for democracy-building NGOs around the country. Cairo says the suspects were carrying out political, not civil society activities, particularly after the revolution began just over a year ago.
- Tensions Bubbling Again Over Falkland Islands
- It's been 30 years since Britain and Argentina went to war over the Falkland Islands. The British won, leaving the islands off the coast of Argentina in British hands. While the war may be over, tensions between the two countries about who owns the Falklands have risen in recent months. Host Robert Siegel talks with professor Mark Jones of Rice University for more.
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