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Wednesday

Europe

Why A New EU Draft Of How Brexit Should Work Is Complicating Matters

The future status of the United Kingdom's border with Ireland is once again proving a huge obstacle in the long process of Britain leaving the European Union.

Why A New EU Draft Of How Brexit Should Work Is Complicating Matters

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Detained Migrants In Libya Have A Choice: Buy Your Way Out Or Be Sold Into Bondage

African migrants trying to get to Europe have been getting detained in Libya and sold into temporary slavery by gangs and militias. Some told their stories at a shelter in Tunisia after they escaped.

Detained Migrants In Libya Have A Choice: Buy Your Way Out Or Be Sold Into Bondage

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Africa

Ethiopia's Government Faces Its Biggest Political Crisis Since Coming To Power In 1991

In the face of non-stop protests, the government has released thousands of political prisoners. The prime minister has resigned. And, for the second time in less than two years, the government has declared a state of emergency.

Ethiopia's Government Faces Its Biggest Political Crisis Since Coming To Power In 1991

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A Secretive Sect Opens A Debate On Female Genital Mutilation

Leena Khandwala, 44, at her family home in Karachi, Pakistan. After members of her religious community in the U.S. and Australia were arrested for performing female genital mutilation, she decided to go public about her childhood experience of being cut. Diaa Hadid/NPR hide caption

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Diaa Hadid/NPR

Goats and Soda

A Secretive Sect Opens A Debate On Female Genital Mutilation

The Bohras, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, practice cutting as a clandestine ritual. Now, the arrest of a Bohra doctor in Detroit for performing FGM has inspired a frank discussion in Pakistan.

Afghan President Urges Taliban To Talk Peace, Offering Political Recognition

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani shakes hands with a foreign delegate at the Kabul Process conference in the country's capital Wednesday. During the conference, Ghani called on the Taliban to participate in peace talks with the Afghan government. Shah Marai/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Shah Marai/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Afghan President Urges Taliban To Talk Peace, Offering Political Recognition

At a conference in Kabul , Ashraf Ghani offered the insurgent group a variety of incentives to come to the negotiating table — including passports, a political office and the release of prisoners.

North Korea Reportedly Sending Missile, Chemical Weapons Parts To Syria

A South Korean news magazine with front cover photos of President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a headline "Korean Peninsula Crisis" is displayed at the Dong-A Ilbo building in Seoul, South Korea, in September. Ahn Young-joon/AP hide caption

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Ahn Young-joon/AP

The Two-Way

North Korea Reportedly Sending Missile, Chemical Weapons Parts To Syria

According to a draft report seen by several news organizations, U.N. investigators found that the sanctions-busting shipments date back a decade.

Middle East

North Korea Is Sending Weapons Parts To Syria, Draft Report Says

A U.N. report says the North Korean government has been sending Syrian authorities components to help make chemical weapons, and those are being used to target civilians.

North Korea Is Sending Weapons Parts To Syria, Draft Report Says

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Asia

China Plans To Abolish Term Limits For President Xi Jinping

Steve Inskeep talks to China scholar Carl Minzner of Fordham Law School about the Chinese Communist Party's move to abolish term limits, allowing President Xi Jinping to stay in power indefinitely.

China Plans To Abolish Term Limits For President Xi Jinping

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Tuesday

In Africa, War Over Water Looms As Ethiopia Nears Completion Of Nile River Dam

Boats sail on the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt, last October. Tensions between Egypt and upstream Nile basin countries, Sudan and Ethiopia, have flared up again over the construction and effects of a massive dam being built by Ethiopia on the Nile River. Amr Nabil/AP hide caption

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Amr Nabil/AP

Here & Now Compass

In Africa, War Over Water Looms As Ethiopia Nears Completion Of Nile River Dam

Ethiopia hopes the electricity generated by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will boost economic development, while Egypt is concerned its neighbor will gain control over the flow of water.

Europe

German High Court Rules That Cities Can Ban Diesel Vehicles To Reduce Pollution

A high court in Germany says a city suffering from excessive air pollution can ban older diesel vehicles from its streets, if officials cannot find other ways to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions to E.U.-mandated levels.

German High Court Rules That Cities Can Ban Diesel Vehicles To Reduce Pollution

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At Least 14 Dead In Papua New Guinea After Strong Quake Sets Off Mudslides

Debris from a massive landslide from Monday's earthquake covers an area in Tabubil township, Papua New Guinea, on Monday following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake early Monday. Luke Purre/AP hide caption

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Luke Purre/AP

The Two-Way

At Least 14 Dead In Papua New Guinea After Strong Quake Sets Off Mudslides

The 7.5 magnitude temblor rocked the central highlands in the half-island Pacific nation early Monday. Phone lines are down and roads are blocked, making a full assessment of the remote area hard.

Saudi King Fires Top Military Brass In Latest Shakeup Of Kingdom's Institutions

Saudi Arabia's chief of staff, General Abdulrahman al-Bunyan, holds a news conference in 2016. He was one of a handful of top military brass to lose his job. Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Saudi King Fires Top Military Brass In Latest Shakeup Of Kingdom's Institutions

The country's chief of staff and the heads of ground and air forces have been sacked by royal decree. The move is reportedly led by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the kingdom's defense minister.