Search results for

Reconstruction efforts in Iraq are being hampered by the soaring cost of construction materials. Lack of security on the highways has driven up the cost of transporting the supplies. In addition, the U.S. occupation has brought higher prices from American commanders buy up bricks to fortify their bases. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

The battle for control of Fallujah galvanizes anti-American feeling among both Sunnis and Shiites. Large numbers of Iraqi men gather at mosques in Baghdad, bringing material aid and offering their support for the Sunni-dominated city. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.

The Indian government considers the adoption of a bill that makes it illegal to copy patented drugs, a practice that has made cheaper medicines available in India and abroad. Health activists are urging members of Parliament to vote against the bill, saying it would make drugs too expensive for millions suffering from AIDS.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is under intense pressure to modify the curriculums at religious schools known as madrassas because of Islamist extremist undertones. For Musharraf, it's an extremely sensitive political issue, and change is slow to come. NPR's Philip Reeves reports from Islamabad.

Leftist parties refuse to formally join Indian Prime Minister-elect Sonia Gandhi's Congress Party and its allies in a coalition set to be sworn into power this week. Stocks in India plunge on speculation that leftist influence on Gandhi's new government will end economic reforms. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.

Fifteen candidates challenging interim leader Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan's Saturday presidential election say they will boycott the results of the vote. They candidates say there are problems with ink meant to prevent people from voting more than once. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Voters waited up in long lines on Sunday and a record 72% turned out to cast their ballots. Votes are still being counted.

On the northern Israeli border, there are growing fears that the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah may join the conflict and retaliate against Israel.

Sri Lanka moves into the complex phase of reconstruction and resettlement, with about half of the 800,000 people displaced by the tsunami leaving shelters. The country lost more than 38,000 in the disaster.

There's been widespread condemnation of the apparent slaying of aid worker Margaret Hassan by her Iraqi kidnappers. A video sent to al Jazeera, the Arabic television channel, appears to show Hassan being shot in the head by a hooded militant. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.