World News and International Headlines : NPR

For Iranian-Americans, Sanctions Can Be A Minefield

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks while Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner looks on during a Nov. 21 news conference about new sanctions against Iran. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP hide caption

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Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

Middle East

For Iranian-Americans, Sanctions Can Be A Minefield

November 30, 2011 • Members of the Iranian-American community maintain contacts with friends and family in Iran. But that means negotiating the confusing array of sanctions the U.S. government has imposed on Iran for more than three decades. One recent legal case highlights the issue.

U.S. Weighs Sanctions Targeting Iran's Central Bank

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves in Pakdasht, southeast of Tehran, Nov. 23. Ahmadinejad on Wednesday said he was surprised at European moves to isolate Tehran's central bank. HO/Reuters/Landov hide caption

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HO/Reuters/Landov

U.S. Weighs Sanctions Targeting Iran's Central Bank

November 30, 2011 • Iran may soon face economic measures tougher than anything it has encountered before: The U.S. Congress is considering sanctions against the central bank of Iran, with the likely effect of limiting Iran's oil exports. But some analysts say the move could lead to a dangerous spike in oil prices.

Rajab Discusses Report On Bahraini Crackdown

November 30, 2011 • Earlier this year, a pro-democracy uprising in the Persian Gulf state of Bahrain was met with a severe government crackdown. At least 35 people were killed. Now, the country's leadership is in the process of examining its reaction to those protests. Bahraini activist Nabeel Rajab talks to Melissa Block about the government report that details systemic abuse by its authorities.

Erdbrink Discusses Attacks On British Embassy

November 30, 2011 • Guy Raz speaks with Washington Post Tehran bureau chief Thomas Erdbrink for an update on Britain and Iran. They discuss protests at the British Embassy, rising tensions and moves to close other European embassies in Iran.

In Myanmar, Clinton Tests Waters For Change

November 30, 2011 • Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Myanmar, also known as Burma, to see if the county's leaders are serious about political reform. Myanmar has long been under international sanctions because of the repressive nature of the military junta that held power until recently. But there are signs that a new civilian government is loosening the military's grip.

Europe

In Britain, Public Workers Strike Over Pension Cuts

November 30, 2011 • Public sector workers walked off their jobs Wednesday in Britain to protest pension cuts. They tied up airports, shut down schools and slowed delivery of health services. No one knows for sure how many joined the walkout, though some reports say it was as many as two million people. The strike is an important sign of the growing discontent with Britain's austerity program.

Economy

Central Banks Act Sends Stock Markets Soaring

November 30, 2011 • The major central banks of the world moved Wednesday to prevent a banking crisis in Europe. They're providing more liquidity to the European banking system in hopes that big banks there will remain solvent and continue to make loans. The coordinated move by the central banks sent stock markets soaring. But it will not even begin to fix Europe's fundamental economic problems.

Economy

A 'Holiday Greeting Card' To Financial Markets?

November 30, 2011 • Guy Raz talks to Felix Salmon, a finance blogger for Reuters. Salmon explains Wednesday's actions by six central banks to improve access to U.S. dollars internationally.

Tension Grows Between Iran And The West

November 30, 2011 • British authorities have closed their embassy in Iran's capital city, Tehran, and recalled all diplomatic staff, a day after Iranian protesters stormed the embassy. Britain also said it was requiring Iran to close its embassy in London and recall all its staff in the next 48 hours.

What The U.S. Can Learn From Upbeat Brazil

November 30, 2011 • Amid continued political gridlock in Washington, New York Times Columnist Anand Giridharadas says governments should depoliticize the economy. He recently reported in Brazil, where he says jobs and yacht sales are up, and young locals are ecstatic about the future. He speaks with host Michel Martin.

Business

Central Banks Around Globe Move To Ease Fears

November 30, 2011 • Leading central banks around the world took coordinated moves Wednesday to provide more liquidity in the global financial system and calm rising fears in Europe over access to credit. As Europe's sovereign debt crisis worsens, bank lending has tightened, and nervous investors are reluctant to make loans to European banks.

Europe

Scores Of British Workers Protest Austerity Measures

November 30, 2011 • More than 2 million public sector workers in Britain are expected to participate in Wednesday's strike to protest pension cutbacks. Thirty trade unions will join in, hitting public services from health, garbage and tax collection to schools, ports and airports.

Clinton Tests Reforms On Historic Visit To Myanmar

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in Myanmar's capital city, Naypyidaw, on Wednesday for the first top-level U.S. visit to the country in half a century. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Asia

Clinton Tests Reforms On Historic Visit To Myanmar

November 30, 2011 • The U.S. secretary of state arrived in the capital of Naypyidaw to test the country's first civilian government in decades on its commitment on issues such as severing military and nuclear ties with North Korea. She was scheduled to meet senior Myanmarese officials as well as opposition leader and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Europe

British Panel Told Phone-Hacking Was Necessary

November 30, 2011 • The wide-ranging inquiry into criminal abuses by the British press has led to testimony about relationships and careers damaged by tabloid excess. Newspapers owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. are at the heart of the scandal. A former features editor for one of those papers stole the show at Tuesday's hearing.

Africa

Egyptian Protesters Ponder Their Next Step

November 30, 2011 • Tahrir Square, the focal point of the Egyptian protest movement, has gone largely quiet this week as millions of Egyptians cast ballots in the country's parliamentary elections. The week before, hundreds of thousands of people had been gathering in the square to protest the government.