Alyssa Nadworny

Syrian rebels are gaining momentum as they push their way towards the city of Homs. Government forces were unable to stop the insurgents from taking five towns in less than two weeks. I'm Alyssa Nadwarny. And I'm Ayesha Roscoe, and this is Up First from NPR News. Syrian forces are battling to keep insurgents out of the strategically crucial city of Homs.

Syrian rebels are gaining momentum as they push their way towards the city of Homs. Government forces were unable to stop the insurgents from taking five towns in less than two weeks. I'm Alyssa Nadwarny. And I'm Ayesha Roscoe, and this is Up First from NPR News. Syrian forces are battling to keep insurgents out of the strategically crucial city of Homs.

We'll have the latest developments on this story. Plus, in South Korea, political chaos after the president declared martial law. He's now facing calls to resign as lawmakers fight over whether to impeach him. We'll have the latest from Seoul. Plus, Pope Francis promotes 21 men to the Catholic Church's College of Cardinals. Stay with us. We have the news you need to start your weekend.

We'll have the latest developments on this story. Plus, in South Korea, political chaos after the president declared martial law. He's now facing calls to resign as lawmakers fight over whether to impeach him. We'll have the latest from Seoul. Plus, Pope Francis promotes 21 men to the Catholic Church's College of Cardinals. Stay with us. We have the news you need to start your weekend.

We'll have the latest developments on this story. Plus, in South Korea, political chaos after the president declared martial law. He's now facing calls to resign as lawmakers fight over whether to impeach him. We'll have the latest from Seoul. Plus, Pope Francis promotes 21 men to the Catholic Church's College of Cardinals. Stay with us. We have the news you need to start your weekend.

They haven't faced much opposition from government forces until today, as they fight to make their way to the city of Homs, less than 90 miles away from the capital Damascus.

They haven't faced much opposition from government forces until today, as they fight to make their way to the city of Homs, less than 90 miles away from the capital Damascus.

They haven't faced much opposition from government forces until today, as they fight to make their way to the city of Homs, less than 90 miles away from the capital Damascus.

There's unprecedented political upheaval in South Korea this week, which started with the president declaring martial law.

There's unprecedented political upheaval in South Korea this week, which started with the president declaring martial law.

There's unprecedented political upheaval in South Korea this week, which started with the president declaring martial law.

Pope Francis is carrying out a major batch of promotions. He's created 21 new cardinals. But who are these new cardinals and how will they help shape or reshape the Catholic Church under Pope Francis?

Pope Francis is carrying out a major batch of promotions. He's created 21 new cardinals. But who are these new cardinals and how will they help shape or reshape the Catholic Church under Pope Francis?

Pope Francis is carrying out a major batch of promotions. He's created 21 new cardinals. But who are these new cardinals and how will they help shape or reshape the Catholic Church under Pope Francis?

Jay Ciz is our technical director, with engineering support from Zach Coleman, David Greenberg, and Arthur Holliday-Lorentz.

Jay Ciz is our technical director, with engineering support from Zach Coleman, David Greenberg, and Arthur Holliday-Lorentz.

Jay Ciz is our technical director, with engineering support from Zach Coleman, David Greenberg, and Arthur Holliday-Lorentz.

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And for more news, interviews, sports and music, you can tune in to Weekend Edition on your radio. Go to stations.npr.org to find your local NPR station.

And for more news, interviews, sports and music, you can tune in to Weekend Edition on your radio. Go to stations.npr.org to find your local NPR station.