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Tuesday

Japan's State Secrets Law: Hailed By U.S., Denounced By Japanese

A November demonstration against Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Designated Secrets Bill drew thousands of protesters. The Japanese Parliament has since passed the law, under which people convicted of leaking classified information will face five to 10 years in prison. Franck Robichon/European Pressphoto Agency/Landov hide caption

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Franck Robichon/European Pressphoto Agency/Landov

Parallels

Japan's State Secrets Law: Hailed By U.S., Denounced By Japanese

Japan's tough new law protecting state secrets was a victory for Washington, which had long pressured its Asian ally to exert tighter control over classified information. But the controversial law has triggered widespread outrage in Japan and undermined the popularity of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Japan's State Secrets Law: Hailed By U.S., Denounced By Japanese

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Middle East

In Syria, Conflict In Cyberspace Complements Ground War

The Syrian civil war is raging on the battlefield, but it's also raging online. While the rebels have gone online to recruit fighters and coordinate with allies, forces supporting Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's regime have employed malware to infiltrate and track them. Morgan Marquis-Boire, a security researcher at the University of Toronto who's following the cyber conflict in Syria, talks to Robert Siegel about the way the digital war is being waged.

In Syria, Conflict In Cyberspace Complements Ground War

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Europe

Berlin's Frenzied Fireworks Have Locals Leaving, Hiding On New Year's

For about eight hours on New Year's Eve, Berlin sounds like a war zone with thousands of people taking to the streets to shoot off fireworks — and not just into the air. Subways, passing cars and even pedestrians are also targets. Many residents choose to leave the city because of the noise and danger. Those who remain tend to stay indoors because it isn't safe outside. The launching of most of these fireworks is illegal and hundreds of people are injured and maimed. Half of them are innocent bystanders. Yet Berlin police rarely intervene on this night. Officials say there is little they can do to stop what's become a dangerous tradition in the German capital.

Berlin's Frenzied Fireworks Have Locals Leaving, Hiding On New Year's

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Ringing In The New Year, Trapped By Antarctic Ice

As midnight hits, people across the world are celebrating New Year's. Passengers aboard a research ship that's been trapped in Antarctic ice rang in the new year as well. They've been trapped on the ship for a week, and are expected to be evacuated by helicopter as soon as the weather breaks. Audie Cornish talks with Alok Jha, a science correspondent for The Guardian who's aboard the ship.

Ringing In The New Year, Trapped By Antarctic Ice

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Middle East

Of 2.3 Million Syrians Displaced By Civil War, 45 Found Home In U.S.

Audie Cornish talks to Assistant Secretary of State Anne Richard about the United States' role in resettling Syrian refugees.

Of 2.3 Million Syrians Displaced By Civil War, 45 Found Home In U.S.

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Africa

Fighting Intensifies In South Sudan Despite Calls For Cease-Fire

There are reports of heavy fighting around the South Sudanese city of Bor, north of the capital Juba. Rebel forces and a feared tribal militia are said to be advancing on the city, and are already in control of territory around the sprawling U.N. base where thousands of displaced people have taken refuge. Meanwhile, East African leaders are pushing for a cease-fire and peace talks.

Fighting Intensifies In South Sudan Despite Calls For Cease-Fire

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New Year's Eve: Dubai Puts On A Record-Setting Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode over Palm Jumeirah in Dubai on Jan. 1, 2014, to celebrate the new year. Dubai's glittering fireworks display that lasted around six minutes spanned over 100 kilometres (60 miles) of the Dubai coast, which boasts an archipelago of man-made islands. Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

New Year's Eve: Dubai Puts On A Record-Setting Fireworks Show

Organizers of what is expected to be certified as the world's largest fireworks display ever put on a show in Dubai that was seen by thousands Tuesday, as viewers turned out to celebrate the new year and watch a huge spectacle.

Middle East

Malala Yousafzai's Hope Is Stronger Than Ever

A year after she was shot by the Taliban, Malala Yousafzai was back spreading her message about educating girls around the world. Malala, and her father Ziauddin Yousafzai, talk with host Michel Martin about their hope for Pakistan's future. This segment originally aired Oct. 15, 2013 on Tell Me More.

Malala Yousafzai's Hope Is Stronger Than Ever

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In Russia, A Soviet-Era Movie To Ring In The New Year

Zhenya drinks heavily with his friends at a Russian bathhouse in The Irony of Fate, a Soviet-era film that Russians still watch on New Year's Day. Via Mosfilm hide caption

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Via Mosfilm

Parallels

In Russia, A Soviet-Era Movie To Ring In The New Year

The Irony of Fate is the country's favorite holiday movie. Like classic American films such as It's A Wonderful Life, it captures the magic of the holidays, but in a way that is quintessentially Russian.

In Russia, A Soviet-Era Movie To Ring In The New Year

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Law

Deported Parents Struggle To Regain Custody

An estimated 5,000 children in the U.S. have been placed in foster care after their parents were deported. Regaining custody can be very difficult for deportees. Host Michel Martin talks with Candi Mayes of the Dependency Legal Group of San Diego, and KPBS reporter Jill Replogle.

Deported Parents Struggle To Regain Custody

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How NAFTA Helped The Mexican Billionaires' Club

Carlos Slim Helu (left) talks with Steve Forbes of Forbes magazine. The magazine lists the Mexican telecom mogul as the world's richest man, with a net worth of $73 billion. Jeremy Piper/AP hide caption

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Jeremy Piper/AP

20 Years Of NAFTA

How NAFTA Helped The Mexican Billionaires' Club

When the North American Free Trade Agreement was being negotiated, supporters promised it would increase the income of Mexicans. And the middle class did grow over the past two decades. But it's clear that the country's ultrarich are its big winners.

How NAFTA Helped The Mexican Billionaires' Club

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Rival South Sudan Factions Agree To Talks, Cease-Fire

A young, displaced girl cries after the relative she was with disappears into a row of latrines Sunday at a U.N. compound in Juba, South Sudan. Violence in the country has forced an estimated 70,000 people to take refuge in U.N. compounds. Ben Curtis/AP hide caption

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Ben Curtis/AP

The Two-Way

Rival South Sudan Factions Agree To Talks, Cease-Fire

The conflict pits the country's president against his former vice president, who is accused of plotting a coup. But the violence in the oil-rich nation also has tribal and ethnic dimensions that threaten the world's newest country.

NPR's Gregory Warner Talks To Michele Martin, Host Of Tell Me More

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Happy New Year! The Celebrations Are Underway

The new year has begun in Australia, where fireworks exploded near Sydney's Harbor Bridge and the Opera House. Rob Griffith/AP hide caption

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Rob Griffith/AP

The Two-Way

Happy New Year! The Celebrations Are Underway

The new year has arrived in Australia, New Zealand and other places in the Pacific. As 2014 begins around the world, we'll watch for highlights of the celebrations. Among the things to watch for: Dubai's bid to set a new world record for biggest fireworks display.

Sounds of the New Year's celebration in Auckland, New Zealand

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