State Department confirms closure of the U.S. consulate in Peshawar

On #WorldPressFreedomDay, CPJ’s call to protect the press is more urgent than ever. More journalists and media workers were killed in 2025 than in any other year since CPJ began collecting data. At least 130 journalists and media workers were killed, 2/3 of them by Israel. cpj.org?p=553549

Planet appears to be ending all access to imagery in the Middle East indefinitely. This will make understanding what’s happening in this conflict far more difficult.

Remembering German photojournalist Anja Niedringhaus who was killed in Afghanistan #OTD in 2014. The only woman on a team of 11 AP photographers who won the 2005 #Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News #Photography for coverage of the Iraq War. Afghanistan: Seen Through Her Lens theatln.tc/2pZHcET

For decades, Ali Akbar has sold papers on the Left Bank of Paris. Last month, France gave the beloved 73-year-old immigrant from Pakistan one of its highest honors — and his neighborhood is cheering. n.pr/3MzrJci

Sunday, DC

The 2026 Nieman Fellows have chosen Gaza-based Palestinian journalists Shrouq Aila and @npr.org’s Anas Baba with the Louis M. Lyons Award for Conscience and Integrity in Journalism for reporting that documents the human consequences of war with accuracy and care. nieman.harvard.edu/the-2026-nie...

The fourth winter of Russia's war on Ukraine has been the most brutal in recent times, with heat and electricity blackouts lasting for days as Russia repeatedly attacks Ukraine's energy grid.

Without warning, the CIA said this week that it will no longer produce the publication that it previously touted as "indispensable." By @likeapple.bsky.social www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...

The @pressclubdc.bsky.social is offering 3 months of free membership to laid-off journalists www.press.org/newsroom/clu...

When I searched to see how the Washington Post covered the story of its massive layoffs, all I could find was this AP story, posted overnight www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction ceased to exist on Jan. 31, and it seems its website (sigar.mil) did too. Congress created this watchdog in 2008 to do independent oversight of Afghanistan reconstruction efforts. Over the years SIGAR identified billions of dollars wasted.

NPR's Adrian Florido has been buying fruit from the same fruit-cart vendor in his LA neighborhood for years. On Tuesday, Florido was there when federal immigration agents whisked him away.

Ali Akbar, Paris's last newspaper hawker, honored by Macron

Pakistan steps up prosecution of overseas journalists @pressfreedom.bsky.social cpj.org?p=554403

Journalists are civilians under international humanitarian law. Facilities and equipment utilized for reporting and disseminating news are also civilian structures. They must be respected and protected. Journalists are #NotATarget.

Today marks 18 years since Benazir Bhutto was assassinated. Her courageous fight against dictatorship was an early spark for my interest in Pakistan. This photo, by Robert Nickelsberg during our 1998 interview for TIME magazine in Karachi, was damaged long ago in the mail but am so glad to have it.

Delighted to be included in this morning’s @npr.org Weekend Edition roundup to talk about one of the books I most enjoyed this year, Maryam Jillani’s PAKISTAN cookbook. It’s a beautifully presented and refreshing look at Pakistan in all its diversity. www.npr.org/2025/12/20/n...

DC Fire And EMS Department Engine Company 9

Whether you're craving something sweet, savory, spicy — or all of the above in one flavorful meal — we've got you covered. Here are 10 favorite cookbooks from the past year. n.pr/4pAXArl

From the beautiful Textile Museum on the campus of George Washington University

We were very sad to learn about the passing of Dr. Iain Douglas Hamilton - legendary conservationist, Save the Elephants Founder, and subject of 2025 Festival Selection A LIFE AMONG ELEPHANTS. His incredible story resonated so strongly with our audience. He leaves behind a truly monumental legacy.

At the Australian Embassy in Washington

Books We Love is back with a brand new batch of hand-picked titles. Mix and match tags like “Book Club Ideas” and “Eye-Opening Reads.” Find 380+ new 2025 reads, and stick around to browse more than 4,000 books from the last 13 years.

Wonderful insights into the art of obituary writing from @npr.org’s @dongonyea.bsky.social and Elizabeth Blair www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...

Remarkable story by @ejnicholson.bsky.social about 3 nuns sent to a nursing home against their will and how they made a getaway. Their supporters include a granddaughter of Maria von Trapp and former students, one of whom says they “they deserve agency and dignity in old age.” As do all our elders -

NPR's Israel correspondent Daniel Estrin has entered the Gaza Strip for the first time since the war began, but Israeli still requires a military escort. n.pr/498GMTe

Must-read analysis from two POGO experts: Pulitzer-winner Mark Thompson and former USMC press officer @virginiajburger.bsky.social reflect on the latest restrictions from the DOD⬇️

A Statement from NPR’s Editor in Chief on the Pentagon’s Press Policy. Read More: www.npr.org/2025/10/13/g...

Many congratulations to @npr.org’s Anas Baba on this wonderful, hugely deserved recognition of his “steadfast and factual coverage of the war in Gaza [that] is making a singular contribution to public understanding of the conflict at great personal risk.” www.academyofdiplomacy.org/news/press-r...

Redford le Magnifique—needs no translation

This looks to be an incredible event at the National Museum of Asian Art, featuring Omara Khan Masoudi, the former director of the National Museum of Afghanistan, among others. Sept. 20, in-person and via Zoom: asia.si.edu/whats-on/eve...

have not yet been to the dubai airport but can very much can relate to the reflections on travel in this latest far-flung postcards installment by my dear colleague @hannahbloch.bsky.social www.npr.org/2025/08/20/g...

I wrote about the perfect limbo of a Dubai airport layover www.npr.org/2025/08/20/g...

Remembering the great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pakistan’s gift to world music, who died on this day in 1997. “The message of my music is to convey love,” he told me. “It works like a bridge between people and God.”

The lessons of the Partition of India and Pakistan continue to resonate broadly today. www.npr.org/sections/par...

Earlier this year, Iran ordered Afghans living illegally in the country to leave. Since then, the government has labeled them Israeli spies, targeted their housing, employment and banking.

Very sorry to hear news of the death of pioneering Pakistani journalist Zubeida Mustafa, who inspired so many. Condolences to her loved ones. www.dawn.com/news/1923093...

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I love this new weekly postcard series on @npr.org created by one of our international desk editors, the superb Hannah Bloch, and our excellent visuals team. Click through to see more postcards from my amazing colleagues!

From a letter mailed in 1978, stamps with the message:

In honor of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s 125th birthday today, the title pages from the Urdu edition of The Little Prince I picked up years ago at a bookshop in Lahore.

Important documentary about Afghanistan’s cultural heritage, focusing on efforts to excavate and preserve the extraordinary ancient Buddhist site at Mes Aynak — which happens to be sitting atop one of the world’s largest copper deposits

Bill Moyers, the former White House press secretary who became one of television's most honored journalists, has died at 91.

In honor of National Typewriter Day (which was June 23), my grandmother’s Hermes Baby

News: in aftermath of Israeli strikes on Iran, and the potential widening of the conflict, staffers from the Voice of America Persian language service have been urgently called back - per 4 VoA staffers. An admission by Trump administration of the network's utility during crisis.

From Gingrich to Tea Party to MAGA - Republican efforts to kill funding for public media have intensified @deirdrekwalsh.bsky.social and I report on today's House vote on whether to strip public broadcasting of all federal funds - and the history behind it www.npr.org/2025/06/12/g...

Bloomsday celebration at 🇮🇪 ambassador’s residence

Today marks 9 years since NPR colleagues David Gilkey and Zabihullah Tamanna were killed on assignment in Afghanistan. The memorial display at NPR honors their memory. The camera David was carrying when he died is on the left. We remember them on this day and always.

Re-sharing an interview I did with Platon ahead of Memorial Day nearly a decade ago. Much still to think about in the points he made www.npr.org/2016/04/24/4...