World News and International Headlines : NPR

Some Restaurants In Israel Declare A Kosher Rebellion

Israelis eat at a kosher McDonald's restaurant in Tel Aviv. David Silverman/Getty Images hide caption

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David Silverman/Getty Images

Some Restaurants In Israel Declare A Kosher Rebellion

November 30, 2012 • The country's ultra-Orthodox Jews control kosher certification, but some restaurants are raising objections and forming their own rival certification association. The dispute is part of a wider debate over how Israel should manage the relationship between church and state.

In Pakistan, Secrets Of A 3,000-Year-Old Cemetery

The graves were apparently opened and reopened multiple times, serving more than one generation. Courtesy of ACT Project hide caption

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Courtesy of ACT Project

In Pakistan, Secrets Of A 3,000-Year-Old Cemetery

November 30, 2012 • A team of archaeologists is excavating an ancient cemetery in the Swat Valley. The site reveals the ancient Dardic community's burial and post-burial rituals, including using graves for more than one generation.

Far From Mexico, Students Try Saving Aztec Language

November 30, 2012 • The descendant of the ancient Aztec language is one of many endangered indigenous languages. Although there may still be a million speakers of Nahuatl, it is not being transmitted to a new generation. But there is an attempt to revive Nahuatl in New York City, and students eager to connect to their heritage are taking classes.

The case against Shaheen Dhada has set off a free-speech debate in India. Her father, Farooq Dhada, shown here with her, says in India, freedom of speech "exists only on paper." Julie McCarthy/NPR hide caption

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Julie McCarthy/NPR

The Two-Way

Free-Speech Debate In India Heats Up

November 30, 2012 • The recent case involving the arrests of two young women over a Facebook post has touched off a broader debate in India, a country with millions of tech-savvy young people.

Faith Matters

Catholic Nun At Center Of Mexico's Drug War

November 30, 2012 • Sister Consuelo Morales puts her faith into action in a very dangerous place. She heads a human rights group in Monterrey, Mexico, where she pressures authorities to investigate killings, disappearances and other drug-related violence. She and Nik Steinberg of Human Rights Watch speak with host Michel Martin.

'Anonymous' Vows To Shut Down Syrian Government Websites

Anonymous takes aim at Assad. https://twitter.com/YourAnonNews hide caption

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https://twitter.com/YourAnonNews

The Two-Way

'Anonymous' Vows To Shut Down Syrian Government Websites

November 30, 2012 • Activists say they are aiming at the Assad regime's websites around the world, in response to the Syrian government pulling the plug on the Internet and cellphone service across Syria.

Portraits of Albinism: Letting An Inner Light Shine

Zawia Kassim, 12, of Kigoma Region, would like to be a teacher someday. Courtesy of Jacquelyn Martin hide caption

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Courtesy of Jacquelyn Martin

The Picture Show

Portraits of Albinism: Letting An Inner Light Shine

November 30, 2012 • Photographer Jacquelyn Martin explores issues of race, identity and beauty in a portrait series on Tanzanian people with albinism.

Tanzania's Albinos Face Constant Threat Of Attack

Angel Salvatory, 17, buys cloth at a market in Kabanga village in Tanzania. Albinos living in a nearby protection center are allowed to go to the local market as long as they travel in a group for their own safety. Jacquelyn Martin for NPR hide caption

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Jacquelyn Martin for NPR

Africa

Tanzania's Albinos Face Constant Threat Of Attack

November 30, 2012 • For many albinos — born with a partial or total lack of pigment in their skin, hair and eyes — life is difficult, and that is particularly true in Tanzania, where they are attacked for their flesh, the result of superstitious beliefs. More than 100 albinos have been assaulted since 2006.

In Egypt: Draft Of Constitution OK'd; Protesters Return To Tahrir Square

A protester shouts early Friday in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

In Egypt: Draft Of Constitution OK'd; Protesters Return To Tahrir Square

November 30, 2012 • Early Friday, Islamists approved a draft that critics are calling the "Muslim Brotherhood constitution." Protesters are also rallying against President Mohammed Morsi's decree giving him sweeping new powers.

Middle East

Egypt's Constitution Vote Mired In Controversy

November 30, 2012 • Mohammed Morsi was dismissed by many Egyptians when he stood in the country's first free election after the ouster of the Mubarak regime. Morsi was seen as lacking charisma and was referred to as the Muslim Brotherhood's spare tire, since he wasn't the group's first choice for president. But Morsi has been able to rock the system. He ousted Egypt's top generals, reshuffled the military ranks and now picked what appears to be the perfect time to override the courts and push through a constitution.

Sports

Golf's Storied St. Andrews Old Course Gets Facelift

November 30, 2012 • Scotland's St. Andrews is sacred ground for golfers, often referred to as the "birthplace of golf." Renee Montagne and David Greene tell us about a major announcement — the first changes to the club's "Old Course" in about 70 years. The goal is to make it more challenging before the next British Open at St. Andrews in 2015.

Middle East

Damascus Remains Cut Off By Fighting

November 30, 2012 • For a second day, the Syrian capital, Damascus is cut off from the outside world, with the international airport shut, the Internet down and mobile phone lines working sporadically. There are reports of fierce clashes around the capital and heavy airstrikes in the capital's suburbs and in the northern city of Aleppo.

Middle East

U.N.'s Palestine Vote: Symbolic Or Game-Changer?

November 30, 2012 • Palestinians are reveling Friday, following the U.N. General Assembly's elevation of their status from nonmember "entity" to nonmember "state." But what that change means depends on whom you ask.

Pencils Down? French Plan Would End Homework

President Francois Hollande argues that homework puts poor children at a disadvantage, but others argue the extra work is needed to help those students succeed. Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images