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Fatma Tanis

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Asia

Saudi Arabia sees massive cultural shift after crown prince's reforms

In Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's social and economic reforms are moving ahead. We have a look at how those changes are playing out with the Saudi people.

Saudi Arabia sees massive cultural shift after crown prince's reforms

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Middle East

Demolition of Jeddah neighborhoods sparks rare widespread criticism in Saudi Arabia

A sweeping redevelopment aimed at drawing wealthy residents to Jeddah is displacing thousands and raising questions about how Saudi Arabia carries out its megaprojects.

Demolition of Jeddah neighborhoods sparks rare widespread criticism in Saudi Arabia

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Middle East

The reaction in the Middle East to Zawahiri's death and the outlook for al-Qaida

In the Middle East, the reaction to the slain al Qaida leader's death was welcomed by Saudi Arabia. But some in the region expressed concerns over U.S. drone strikes.

The reaction in the Middle East to Zawahiri's death and the outlook for al-Qaida

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Middle East

Biden's trip to Mideast was seen as a reset of relations by Gulf Arab leaders

Saudi leaders viewed their summit with President Biden as a success, but human rights advocates worry about the message it sent to the kingdom.

Biden's trip to Mideast was seen as a reset of relations by Gulf Arab leaders

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Middle East

Saudi Arabian residents prepare for Biden's arrival

Many Saudis in the port city Jeddah are aware of President Biden's criticisms of the Kingdom but they hope his visit there Friday will strengthen ties between the two countries.

Saudi Arabian residents prepare for Biden's arrival

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Middle East

Biden heads to the Middle East for meetings

President Biden is heading to Israel and Saudi Arabia Tuesday in his first visit to the Middle East as president for meetings that he says he hopes will help advance regional security and stability.

Biden heads to the Middle East for meetings

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U.S. ambassador to Ukraine: 'It's going to be a long, grinding, tough war'

Bridget Brink, the new U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, speaks at a press conference on June 2 after presenting her credentials to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a ceremony at St. Sophia's Cathedral in Kyiv The U.S. Embassy shut down shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in February and reopened a month ago. Natacha Pisarenko/AP hide caption

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Natacha Pisarenko/AP

Ukraine invasion — explained

U.S. ambassador to Ukraine: 'It's going to be a long, grinding, tough war'

The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has been through a lot in recent years. It's just reopened and Ambassador Bridget Brink is overseeing a massive U.S. assistance operation with a limited staff.

U.S. ambassador to Ukraine: 'It's going to be a long, grinding, tough war'

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Ukraine's Zelenskyy hosts European leaders, welcomes more U.S. weapons

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi (left), German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (second left), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (center), French President Emmanuel Macron (second right), and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis meet at the Ukrainian presidential compound Thursday in a collective show of European support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Ludovic Marin/AP hide caption

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Ludovic Marin/AP

Ukraine invasion — explained

Ukraine's Zelenskyy hosts European leaders, welcomes more U.S. weapons

Ukraine says it urgently needs the heavy artillery to counter Russia on the battlefield. Also, President Zelenskyy is looking for additional support as the leaders of Germany, France and Italy visit.

As school resumes in Afghanistan, will all girls be allowed to go?

Afghan girls participate in a lesson at a high School, in Herat, on Nov. 25, 2021. Petros Giannakouris/AP hide caption

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Petros Giannakouris/AP

World

As school resumes in Afghanistan, will all girls be allowed to go?

Schools in Afghanistan are expected to open for the new semester Wednesday. But despite Taliban assurances that girls will be allowed back, students and teachers are unclear about what will happen.

As school resumes in Afghanistan, will all girls be allowed to go?

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Politics

Those arguments over school book bans may influence midterm elections

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Elizabeth Bruenig from The Atlantic about the political benefits of arguing over book bans in schools.

Those arguments over school book bans may influence midterm elections

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Asia

Lahore, Pakistan, is locking down to improve air quality

Pakistan's second largest city, Lahore, tops the world's most polluted city list, along with India's New Delhi. Poor air quality has prompted the government to order a partial shutdown of schools.

Lahore, Pakistan, is locking down to improve air quality

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Afghan music students escaped the Taliban and are beginning their new lives abroad

Afghan music students, teachers and their families disembark from their flight to Lisbon on Dec. 13. The group of more than 270 evacuees had been staying in Doha, awaiting resettlement in Portugal. Armando Franca/AP hide caption

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Armando Franca/AP

World

Afghan music students escaped the Taliban and are beginning their new lives abroad

Students and faculty with the Afghanistan National Institute of Music flew last week from Doha to Lisbon, where they will start their new lives and reconstitute their celebrated academy in exile.

Afghan music students escaped the Taliban and are beginning their new lives abroad

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Islamic countries are pledging to launch a humanitarian trust fund for Afghanistan

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi speaks at a news conference following the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting in Islamabad on Sunday. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

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Claire Harbage/NPR

World

Islamic countries are pledging to launch a humanitarian trust fund for Afghanistan

The emergency gathering of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation was the largest international meeting on Afghanistan since the country fell to the Taliban in August.

Islamic countries are pledging to launch a humanitarian trust fund for Afghanistan

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What the Taliban really want from the world, in their own words

Taliban political office spokesman Muhammad Naeem Wardak spoke with NPR in Doha, Qatar, on Dec. 11. Fatma Tanis/NPR hide caption

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Fatma Tanis/NPR

World

What the Taliban really want from the world, in their own words

"We want to prove to everyone forever that we respect humanity," Taliban spokesman Muhammad Naeem Wardak told NPR in Doha, Qatar. He also said women "must have the right to education and to work."

What the Taliban really want from the world, in their own words

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