archive

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Blasphemy Charges On The Rise In Pakistan

Students demand the reopening of the Farooqi Girls High School in Lahore, Pakistan, in early November. A mob attacked the school in October, accusing a teacher of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. It takes just one accusation to lead to an arrest under Pakistan's stringent blasphemy laws.

November 20, 2012 A single accuser's word is often enough to lead to an arrest and spark mob violence. Human rights advocates say the charges are frequently made against religious minorities, and are often used to settle personal scores.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

The Picture Show

Rockets, Cigarettes And A Lion: Just A Few Of The Things Smuggled Into Gaza

A worker emerges from one of hundreds of smuggling tunnels that connect the Gaza Strip and Egypt.

November 20, 2012 The Gaza Strip faces tight restrictions from Israel, and this has led to an elaborate system of smuggling tunnels linked to neighboring Egypt. National Geographic examines the tunnels in a piece that has appeared just as Gaza has returned to the forefront of the news.

Summary

The Two-Way

In Syria, An Act Of Reconciliation Stirs Fierce Debate

Supporters of President Bashar Assad speak with U.N. monitors who were arriving in the town in May. The monitors have since left.

November 20, 2012 A Syrian governor visits a town controlled by rebels, and it helps ease the suffering. But the move also draws criticism from both pro- and anti-government forces.

Summary

The Two-Way

Britain Recognizes Syrian Opposition

Rubble litters the street in the main souk or market area of Maraat al-Numan, Syria.

November 20, 2012 The newly formed Syrian National Coalition is the "sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people," British Foreign Secretary William Hague says. Britain joins France in recognizing the organization.

Summary

The Two-Way

Christian Girl Accused Of Blasphemy Cleared By Pakistani Court

Rimsha Masih (left) was flown by military helicopter to a safe location after her release on bail in September. Now, she's been cleared of a blasphemy charge.

November 20, 2012 When Rimsha Masih was accused of burning pages from the Quran and arrested, the case drew international attention because the evidence against her was scant and she is said to be "mentally impaired." Today, a court threw out the charge. Her accuser awaits trial for allegedly planting evidence.

Summary

The Two-Way

With Clinton In The Region, Israel, Hamas Continue To Trade Fire

Palestinians react after they checked the body of their family member killed in an Israeli air strike, at Al-Adwan Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday.

November 20, 2012 Despite the diplomatic push and despite the rumors of imminent peace, there was no cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas. On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will head to Cairo to try to broker a deal.

Summary

Monday, November 19, 2012

The Two-Way

Documents Show FBI Kept Tabs On Stalin's Daughter After Defection

November 19, 2012 Lana Peters, who died last year, defected to the U.S. in 1967. The Associated Press, citing newly declassified documents, says the FBI was trying to gauge how the former Svetlana Alliluyeva's defection was affecting international relations.

Summary

NPR thanks our sponsors

Become an NPR Sponsor

Podcast + RSS Feeds

Podcast RSS

  • NPR: World Story of the Day
     
  • News
     
  • World
     
 

podcast

Foreign Dispatch Podcast

Foreign Dispatch Podcast

A weekly podcast of the biggest news and best stories from NPR's foreign correspondents from around the world.

Subscribe