World News and International Headlines : NPR

What Does N. Korea, 'The Impossible State,' Want?

March 31, 2012 • North Korea is the most secretive country in the world: mysterious and menacing in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Victor Cha, a former member of the National Security Council, has a new book, The Impossible State: North Korea, Past And Future. Host Scott Simon talks with Cha about this week's events on the Korean Peninsula.

Children Swept Up Into Syria's Violence

March 31, 2012 • The United Nations says President Bashar Assad's forces have killed more than 9,000 people during the year-long popular revolt. Now, the plight of Syria's children has captured attention. Host Scott Simon talks with Navi Pillay, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, who is one of the most prominent voices calling for their protection.

Socialist Campaigns Against Sarkozy, 'Big Finance'

March 31, 2012 • French voters go to the polls in three weeks to cast ballots in the first round of their presidential election. Current President Nicolas Sarkozy is fighting for his life in a close race against a man who has never held national office and is virtually unknown outside of France. Eleanor Beardsley profiles socialist candidate Francois Hollande.

Far-Right European Movements Unite

March 31, 2012 • In Denmark, far-right movements from various countries are gathering with the hope of launching a pan-European, anti-Islamist alliance. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

To Keep Protesters Away, Egypt's Police Put Up Walls

After clashes between protesters and security forces, Cairo's police erected walls to keep demonstrators away from the Interior Ministry. Street artists then painted this wall across Sheik Rihan Street. Mohammed Hossam/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Mohammed Hossam/AFP/Getty Images

Middle East

To Keep Protesters Away, Egypt's Police Put Up Walls

March 30, 2012 • The barriers went up near the Interior Ministry in Cairo, turning vibrant neighborhoods into a maze of checkpoints. Some residents say the walls symbolize the divisions between the country's authorities and ordinary citizens.

Israel, West Bank Settlers Brace For Showdown

Israel's Supreme Court has ruled the West Bank Jewish settlement outpost of Migron must be destroyed by August 2012. Sebastian Scheiner/AP hide caption

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Sebastian Scheiner/AP

Middle East

Israel, West Bank Settlers Brace For Showdown

March 30, 2012 • Israel's Supreme Court says an unauthorized West Bank outpost must be dismantled by the beginning of August, but the settlers are warning that they might resist government attempts to remove them.

Is That A Crushed Bug In Your Frothy Starbucks Drink?

An 18th-century Indian gathers cochineal. Newberry Library hide caption

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Newberry Library

The Salt

Is That A Crushed Bug In Your Frothy Starbucks Drink?

March 30, 2012 • Cochineal is a red dye made from a crushed insect native to Latin America. Some vegetarians are distressed that Starbucks uses the dye in some of its pink-colored food and beverages.

Myanmar Hurriedly Prepares For An Election

A man holds a portrait of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a rally for a candidate of her National League for Democracy party on Friday. The country is holding elections for some parliamentary seats on Sunday. Christophe Archambault/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Christophe Archambault/AFP/Getty Images

Asia

Myanmar Hurriedly Prepares For An Election

March 30, 2012 • As Sunday's election approaches, there's a flurry of activity in Myanmar. People from all over the world have come in search of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate and leader of the opposition National League for Democracy. The chaotic environment is a reminder of how far the party has to go to be ready for the political prime time.

Venezuelans Tune In For Scoops On Chavez's Health

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez appears at an event in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday, after returning from radiation therapy in Cuba. Ariana Cubillos/AP hide caption

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Ariana Cubillos/AP

Latin America

Venezuelans Tune In For Scoops On Chavez's Health

March 30, 2012 • Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been traveling to Cuba for cancer treatment, but few details are known about his condition. As questions arise about how this could affect his bid for a third term, a journalist is gaining a following by breaking news on the Chavez's health.

Diplomats Gather, But Syrian Truce Remains Elusive

Syrian opposition groups gathered in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday, as the factions attempt to form a more unified front. This Sunday, the opposition factions, including the main Syrian National Council, will be joined by diplomats in a meeting of the "Friends of Syria." Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images

Middle East

Diplomats Gather, But Syrian Truce Remains Elusive

March 30, 2012 • The opposition is keeping up the pressure on Syrian security forces with repeated attacks, and Syria President Bashar Assad has shown no signs of moving toward a cease-fire. Against this backdrop, the "Friends of Syria" are gathering in Turkey.

Middle East

Comparing U.S. And UN Policies On Syria

March 30, 2012 • Robert Siegel talks with Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications at the White House, about the latest U.S. policy thinking on Syria.

Economy

Shortchanged By Cost, Canada Boots Penny

March 30, 2012 • The Canadian penny is no more. At least, that's what was announced Thursday in the Canadian government's 2012 federal budget. Because of the rising cost of metals, it takes more than one-cent to mint a penny.

Asia

Apple, Foxconn To Improve Factory Conditions

March 30, 2012 • Apple and its China-based supplier Foxconn have agreed to limit worker overtime and significantly improve health and safety conditions at the plants that produce, among other products, the iPhone and iPad. The move comes after an investigation by the Fair Labor Association found Foxconn factories violate numerous Chinese work rules.

French Killings Spark National Soul-Searching

Hundreds of people gather on March 23 on the main public square in Toulouse, France, to pay homage to the seven victims of self-proclaimed al-Qaida militant Mohamed Merah. Eric Cabanis/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Eric Cabanis/AFP/Getty Images

Europe

French Killings Spark National Soul-Searching

March 30, 2012 • The killings of three Jewish children, a rabbi and three soldiers of North African descent by an Islamic extremist came during a presidential campaign in which immigration dominated election rhetoric. While some Muslims say they fear a backlash, and Jews have been shaken by the tragedy, there has also been an outpouring of outrage and solidarity.

Myanmar's Election Seen As A Test Of Reforms

Myanmar opposition figure Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to supporters on Saturday. Voting in parliamentary elections this Sunday is considered a test of the political reforms that Myanmar's rulers have introduced over the past year. Khin Maung Win/AP hide caption

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Khin Maung Win/AP

Asia

Myanmar's Election Seen As A Test Of Reforms

March 30, 2012 • After a half-century, Myanmar's military rulers have been easing their grip on power just a bit. Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and her party are campaigning for the parliamentary seats at stake in Sunday's ballot.