Emily Feng

Israel is facing a substantial shortage in troop numbers as reservists, exhausted from war, are failing to turn up for duty. Experts say Israel's multiple war fronts are putting a huge mental, political, and financial strain on reservists.

Israeli efforts to establish new Jewish settlements and seize Palestinian land have reached a frenzied pitch in the occupied West Bank, where Palestinian residents say they have been encircled and besieged by violent settlers.

Israeli efforts to establish new Jewish settlements and seize Palestinian land have reached a frenzied pitch in the occupied West Bank, where Palestinian residents say they have been encircled and besieged by violent settlers.

A stone effigy of a woman taken from a Palmyrene tomb rests underneath Syria's national museum in Damascus. Emily Feng/NPR hide caption

Syria has a rich archaeological heritage full of ancient Roman and Byzantine sites and treasures. Damaged and stolen during a civil war, they now face an increased danger of looting.

Syria has a rich archaeological heritage full of ancient Roman and Byzantine sites and treasures. Damaged and stolen during a civil war, they now face an increased danger of looting.

Then-Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji arrives at Hong Kong's international airport on Nov. 18, 2002, for the opening of the World Congress of Accountants.

The former premier of China, Zhu Rongji, has died. He was 97 years old. NPR's reports. This segment airs on August 12, 2026.

Palestinians in the West Bank have too much cash. Israeli banks refuse to accept their deposits and Palestinian authorities warn an economic breakdown is looming.

Palestinians in the West Bank have too much cash. Israeli banks refuse to accept their deposits and Palestinian authorities warn an economic breakdown is looming.