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Leila Fadel Leila Fadel is a host of Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.
Leila Fadel, photographed for NPR, 2 May 2022, in Washington DC. Photo by Mike Morgan for NPR.
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Leila Fadel

Saturday

Mecca Becomes A Mecca For Skyscraper Hotels

An aerial view of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca in October 2014. Muhammad Hamed/Reuters/Landov hide caption

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Muhammad Hamed/Reuters/Landov

Parallels

Mecca Becomes A Mecca For Skyscraper Hotels

Mecca is the destination for Muslim pilgrims. To house the millions of worshippers, massive hotels are rising at a furious pace, upsetting those seeking to protect the city's traditional architecture.

Mecca Becomes A Mecca For Skyscraper Hotels

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Friday

Middle East

Self-Declared Islamic State Claims Responsibility For Saudi Mosque Attack

A suicide bomber killed several people in a Shiite mosque in Saudi Arabia Friday, raising fears of anti-Shiite violence there.

Self-Declared Islamic State Claims Responsibility For Saudi Mosque Attack

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Saturday

Middle East

Saudi Shiites Fear A Backlash Over War In Yemen

Saudi Arabia's Shiite Muslim minority rose up four years ago to demand equal rights. Now it's even more marginalized, as the Sunni government wages war against Shiite fighters in neighboring Yemen.

Saudi Shiites Fear A Backlash Over War In Yemen

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Thursday

Saudi King Salman Reshuffles Line Of Succession

Earlier this month, Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's new deputy crown prince, met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo. Egyptian Presidency Handout/EPA /Landov hide caption

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Egyptian Presidency Handout/EPA /Landov

Parallels

Saudi King Salman Reshuffles Line Of Succession

Saudi Arabia's King Salman shook up the monarchy on Wednesday. According to a royal decree, the king's nephew takes over as crown prince, and the king's young son becomes deputy crown prince.

Saudi King Salman Reshuffles Line Of Succession

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Wednesday

Middle East

Saudi Arabian Monarch Announces Changes To Kingdom's Line Of Succession

Saudi Arabia's new monarch announced a major overhaul in the kingdom's line of succession Wednesday.

Saudi Arabian Monarch Announces Changes To Kingdom's Line Of Succession

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Thursday

Middle East

Al-Qaida In Yemen Expands During Saudi Bombing Campaign

Shortly after Saudi Arabia announced the end of the air campaign, airstrikes resumed in several parts of Yemen. On the ground, factions continue to battle as the Houthis push for more territory.

Al-Qaida In Yemen Expands During Saudi Bombing Campaign

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Wednesday

Middle East

Saudi Strikes In Yemen Wrap Up; Operation Renewal Of Hope Begins

Saudi Arabia says the air campaign against Houthi rebels is ending, but the conflict may be far from over. Militiamen in the south said they will keep fighting until they rid the area of Houthis.

Saudi Strikes In Yemen Wrap Up; Operation Renewal Of Hope Begins

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Tuesday

Middle East

Saudi Arabia Says It Is Ending Airstrikes In Yemen

Saudi Arabia announced a major down-scaling of its airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen Tuesday, which occurred for nearly four weeks.

Saudi Arabia Says It Is Ending Airstrikes In Yemen

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Monday

Saudi Airstrikes Raise Doubts Abroad, Spark Patriotic Fervor At Home

Saudi Arabia's army fires artillery shells toward Houthi rebels along the Saudi border with Yemen on April 15. Outside Saudi Arabia, many are critical of the military campaign and question whether it will succeed, but it is popular inside the kingdom. STR/Reuters/Landov hide caption

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STR/Reuters/Landov

Parallels

Saudi Airstrikes Raise Doubts Abroad, Spark Patriotic Fervor At Home

Much of the world is skeptical about the wisdom of the bombing raids in Yemen. But Saudis are rallying around their new king, Salman, and his son, the defense minister.

Saudi Airstrikes Raise Doubts Abroad, Spark Patriotic Fervor At Home

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Friday

Middle East

Yemeni Civilians Trapped Between Saudi Airstrikes, Rebel Attacks

A coalition led by Saudi Arabia, with U.S. support, has been carrying out airstrikes in Yemen against rebels. At the same time, the rebels, called Houthis, are battling their opponents in the streets.

Yemeni Civilians Trapped Between Saudi Airstrikes, Rebel Attacks

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Friday

Middle East

Some Egyptians Question Country's Role In Yemen Conflict

Egypt lost thousands of troops in Yemen in the 1960s, but now it is taking a prominent role in the new Saudi-led coalition there — even offering up ground troops again. But some in Egypt worry it's going too far.

Some Egyptians Question Country's Role In Yemen Conflict

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Monday

Middle East

Yemenis Pay The Price For Saudi Arabia-Iran Rivalry

Saudi-led airstrikes continue in the Yemeni capital Sanaa. And as usual, there was no warning. Residents worry that soon the battle will move from the sky to Yemen's soil.

Yemenis Pay The Price For Saudi Arabia-Iran Rivalry

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Sunday

Middle East

Saudi Airstrikes Could Be Precursor To Ground Invasion In Yemen

Saudi Arabia shares an 1,100-mile border with Yemen, a country quickly falling into anarchy. The Saudis have led airstrikes against rebel Houthi forces, but ground forces might not be far behind.

Saudi Airstrikes Could Be Precursor To Ground Invasion In Yemen

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Wednesday

Couple Spends Millions To Save Migrants In The Mediterranean

The Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) carries out its first rescue in the Mediterranean in August 2014. The Malta-based private rescue service founded by a wealthy American and his Italian wife has rescued more than 3,000 migrants since its launch in August 2014. Barcroft Media /Landov hide caption

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Barcroft Media /Landov

Parallels

Couple Spends Millions To Save Migrants In The Mediterranean

With record numbers fleeing the Middle East and Africa in overcrowded boats, the Catrambone family is conducting private rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

Couple Spends Millions To Save Migrants In The Mediterranean

Listen · 4:49
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Thursday

Attack On Museum Seen As Strike Against Tunisian Economy

Survivors are escorted from the National Bardo Museum in Tunis on Wednesday. At least 20 foreign tourists were reportedly killed in the attack. Mohamed Messara/EPA/Landov hide caption

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Mohamed Messara/EPA/Landov

Africa

Attack On Museum Seen As Strike Against Tunisian Economy

Tunisia is reeling after a deadly attack on the Bardo National Museum left at least 20 foreign tourists dead. The gunmen took hostages before police shot two of the militants and caught at least one.

Attack On Museum Seen As Strike Against Tunisian Economy

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