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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

Friday

A Muslim-Jewish Love Story On Egyptian TV Sends Sparks Flying

A still from Haret al Yahood. Haret al Yahood hide caption

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Haret al Yahood

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A Muslim-Jewish Love Story On Egyptian TV Sends Sparks Flying

The soap opera features an Egyptian Muslim army officer in love with an Egyptian Jewish woman. It's airing daily during Ramadan and is proving both popular and controversial.

A Muslim-Jewish Love Story On Egyptian TV Sends Sparks Flying

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Friday

The Business Of Smuggling Migrants Across The Mediterranean

Some 800 migrants from the Middle East arrive at the Greek port of Piraeus on Sunday. Smugglers are charging thousands of dollars to take migrants across the Mediterranean, and prices can vary widely. Children are often allowed to travel for free. Anadolu Agency/Getty Images hide caption

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Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

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The Business Of Smuggling Migrants Across The Mediterranean

A family and a smuggler talk about how the smuggling market works on the Egyptian coast. It can run up to $5,000 a person, but kids go for free.

Thursday

As Egyptian Activists Vanish, Suspicion Falls On The Security Forces

Egyptian security forces take up positions during anti-government demonstrations in Cairo last November. Egyptian activists have been disappearing in growing numbers, and human rights groups say they believe the security forces are responsible. Amr Sayed/APA\Landov hide caption

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Amr Sayed/APA\Landov

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As Egyptian Activists Vanish, Suspicion Falls On The Security Forces

Egyptian activists disappeared in years past and now it's happening again, according to human rights groups. They are again blaming the security forces, who have been cracking down on dissent.

As Egyptian Activists Vanish, Suspicion Falls On The Security Forces

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Monday

Middle East

Syrian Mother Sends Children Across Mediterranean With Smugglers

A Syrian family in Egypt describes how they arrange to send their children with smugglers across the sea to Europe.

Syrian Mother Sends Children Across Mediterranean With Smugglers

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Thursday

Africa

Fisherman By Day, Human Smuggler By Night

An Egyptian fisherman describes his low-level but profitable roll in the migrant smuggling business. He helps place desperate Syrians on boats to Europe.

Fisherman By Day, Human Smuggler By Night

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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

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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

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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

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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

Listen · 4:35
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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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