Jane Araf

The Iranian government has cut phone and internet lines, making it extremely difficult to verify independently what's happening inside the country.

U.S.-based Iranian human rights groups say security forces have killed more than 2,000 people in protests over Iran's collapsing economy.

Iran's foreign minister says hundreds have died, including security forces and protesters.

President Trump, who has warned Iran against the crackdown, said midweek he had been told the killing had stopped.

Young people from across Lebanon greeted the Pope with songs and skits.

They brought him poignant tokens, symbolic of what the country has faced.

Burnt wood from a home destroyed in war.

soil into passports symbolizing suicide and emigration.

He said along with hope, they have the gift of time to shape the future.

For NPR News, I'm Jane Araf in Beirut.

Syria's state news agency says Israel fired artillery at the village overnight, followed by troops entering to make arrests.

It says clashes began when armed residents confronted the soldiers.

Israel says several of its soldiers were wounded.

It said it was targeting members of the militant group Jammah Islamiyah.

Village residents say those killed were civilians.

After the fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad a year ago, Israel seized a former UN-established buffer zone between the two countries and territory beyond it in southern Syria.

For NPR News, I'm Jane Araf in Beirut.

Syria's state news agency says Israel fired artillery at the village overnight, followed by troops entering to make arrests.

It says clashes began when armed residents confronted the soldiers.

Israel says several of its soldiers were wounded.