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Wednesday

British Police Arrest Men for Plotting Terrorist Act

Police in the British city of Birmingham have arrested nine people accused of planning a terrorist act. Media reports say they planned to kidnap and possibly kill a British Muslim soldier and post video of their actions on the Internet. The arrests were concentrated in an area of Birmingham that has a large Muslim population.

British Police Arrest Men for Plotting Terrorist Act

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Iran's Pollution Worries Come by Air and Water

The Islamic Republic of Iran is facing a growing domestic problem: pollution. The air quality in Tehran was recently called a "collective suicide" by an Iranian environmental official. But air pollution is just one of Iran's environmental woes. In its northern region, the Caspian Sea — the world's largest lake — is so contaminated that delicate ecological areas are at risk. Nazanin Rafsanjani reported on the Caspian Sea region as the NPR-Bucksbaum Fellow, part of the International Reporting Project.

Iran's Pollution Worries Come by Air and Water

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German Court Orders Arrests in Rendition Case

A German court issues arrest warrants for 13 people who are believed to be CIA agents or contract employees. Those named were allegedly involved in kidnapping a German citizen three years ago and taking him against his will to Afghanistan for questioning.

German Court Orders Arrests in Rendition Case

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Personal Stories of the Iraq War

While arguments rage over troop increases or withdrawals, for millions of Americans and Iraqis the war is a family issue. The mother of a recent enlistee, the father of four U.S. servicemen, and two Iraqis talk about how they are directly affected by the war in Iraq.

Personal Stories of the Iraq War

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Xeni Tech

Guatemalan Archives May Help Locate Missing

Thousands of people in Guatemala's capital city went missing during the bloody civil war. The discovery and investigation of a massive archive of police documents may reveal what happened to many of those people.

Guatemalan Archives May Help Locate Missing

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Britain Arrests Nine Terror Suspects

Nine men allegedly involved in a kidnapping and murder plot have been arrested in England. Authorities have not released many details, but sources have reported that the plan was to kidnap, torture and behead a British Muslim soldier.

Britain Arrests Nine Terror Suspects

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S. Africa, U.S. Dispute Al-Qaida Allegations

The U.S. has branded two South African citizens as suspected al-Qaida members and is urging the U.N. to do the same. That doesn't sit well with South African officials and public opinion in South Africa questions the accuracy of the accusations.

S. Africa, U.S. Dispute Al-Qaida Allegations

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French Begin to Put Smoking Ban in Place

A smoking ban begins Thursday in French schools, hospitals and youth centers. It will take effect in restaurants, workplaces and other public areas in 11 months. A large majority of the French say they approve the ban, which will bring France in line with a trend among European countries.

French Begin to Put Smoking Ban in Place

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Movies

Film Comedy Highlights Turkish-Kurdish Tensions

Film fans in Turkey have made the comedy The Masked Five in Iraq a box-office smash. But the film reflects historical mistrust and hatred between Turks and Iraqi Kurds.

Film Comedy Highlights Turkish-Kurdish Tensions

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Report Finds Big Problems with Iraq Rebuilding

The Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction says billions spent on security have had a limited effect, while waste and fraud have cost tens of millions. Special Inspector General Stuart Bowen says 2006 was the worst year yet.

Report Finds Big Problems with Iraq Rebuilding

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Tuesday

Update: Sunni Interviewee Is Murdered in Iraq

Last week from Baghdad, Anne Garrels introduced us to Sabah Mohammed, a Sunni who lived in a Baghdad neighborhood that came under frequent attack by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's forces. On Monday, Mohammed was shot to death by Shiite militiamen. One of NPR's Iraqi reporters witnessed the killing.

Update: Sunni Interviewee Is Murdered in Iraq

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Guard Unit Is Resigned to Prolonged Duty in Iraq

A Minnesota National Guard unit that has just learned it will spend an additional four months in Iraq includes a soldier who got to ask President Bush about his plan for a "surge" in troops Monday. He says he's not satisfied with the answer. Charlie Company is responsible for part of the security at a vast supply base called Anaconda 50 miles north of Baghdad.

Guard Unit Is Resigned to Prolonged Duty in Iraq

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