Renee Montagne http://kcur.org en Select Young Afghans Chosen As Commandoes In Training http://kcur.org/post/select-young-afghans-chosen-commandoes-training Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>All right, through much of this week, we've been hearing from young Afghans on the future of their country after NATO troops withdraw in 2014. Yesterday, our colleague Renee Montagne met with the American general who commands coalition forces in Afghanistan. They traveled to a special forces base where young Afghan men - and a few women - are being trained.<p>(SOUNDBITE OF HELICOPTER)<p>RENEE MONTAGNE, BYLINE: Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford was making what's called a battlefield circulation. Fri, 17 May 2013 09:14:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 36914 at http://kcur.org Younger Generation Poised To Lead Afghanistan's Future http://kcur.org/post/younger-generation-poised-lead-afghanistans-future Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne, in Kabul, Afghanistan.<p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>And I'm Steve Inskeep, in Washington, with David Greene.<p>Renee's been in Afghanistan as the United States prepares to substantially draw down its presence in that country, which puts the focus on the Afghans who will try to run the country next. Tue, 14 May 2013 08:49:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 36698 at http://kcur.org Cyprus Proposes Exempting Smaller Deposits From Tax http://kcur.org/post/cyprus-proposes-exempting-smaller-deposits-tax The government of Cyprus is trying to ease fears over a proposed tax on bank deposits. Newly proposed legislation would exempt savers with smaller accounts. It's part of a bailout plan for that Mediterranean country, negotiated with the E.U. and IMF over the weekend. Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:38:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 33702 at http://kcur.org E.U. Bailout Tax Causes Bank Run In Cyprus http://kcur.org/post/eu-bailout-tax-causes-bank-run-cyprus Citizens of Cyprus did not react well to the news that their government wants to allow the European Union to take nearly 10 percent of their savings deposits in exchange for a $13 billion bailout. Banks are closed through Tuesday after worries over bank runs. Depositors stood in long lines to withdraw money over the weekend. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:06:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 33622 at http://kcur.org Ethnic Violence Haunts Kenya's Presidential Election http://kcur.org/post/ethnic-violence-haunts-kenyas-presidential-election Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>Kenya votes for a new president today for the first time in five years. It's an important election, in part because the country is still haunted by the ethnic violence that bloodied the last presidential election in 2007. More than 1,200 people were killed and the violence only ended after the international community stepped in. NPR's Gregory Warner is out visiting polling stations and talking to people in Nairobi. He joins us to talk about the election. Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:01:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 32879 at http://kcur.org Benedict XVI Leaves The Vatican, Headed To Retirement http://kcur.org/post/benedict-xvi-leaves-vatican-headed-retirement Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>We're hearing this morning that Pope Benedict has left the Vatican. NPR's Sylvia Poggioli is covering the first papal retirement in 600 years, and she joins us now from Rome. And Sylvia, describe the scene for us there.<p>SYLVIA POGGIOLI, BYLINE: Well, it was a very emotional scene as Benedict first left all his close aides and employees and officials at the Vatican and then he went to the helicopter pad and has taken off. And I can't help but say this, but we see him now on pictures of Vatican TV flying into the sunset. Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:04:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 32717 at http://kcur.org Sequester Politics In The News http://kcur.org/post/sequester-politics-news Usually when we come up to the edge of one of these deadlines there are 11th-hour negotiations, and the two parties manage to swerve away from the precipice at the last minute. What about this time? Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:13:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 32626 at http://kcur.org Pope Benedict XVI To Resign Feb. 28 http://kcur.org/post/pope-benedict-xvi-resign-feb-28 Pope Benedict announced Monday morning he is retiring at the end of the month. He will be the first pontiff to step aside in six centuries. Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 31765 at http://kcur.org Politics In the News http://kcur.org/post/politics-news-18 Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning. I'm David Greene.<p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>And I'm Renee Montagne.<p>President Obama is taking his campaign against gun violence to the country, beginning today with a trip to Minneapolis and a visit to that city's police department. Many police organizations favor tougher gun laws. The president leaves behind a new Congress that's getting down to business. And consuming most of lawmakers' time: the budget and the deficit.<p>Joining us, as she does most Mondays, is Cokie Roberts. Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:38:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 31396 at http://kcur.org Smaller Crowds At Capitol, But 2009's Enthusiasm Persists http://kcur.org/post/smaller-crowds-capitol-2009s-enthusiasm-persists Four years ago, the National Mall was packed with record crowds. People gathering as President Obama prepares to take the oath of office and deliver a second inaugural address share some of the same sentiments as the crowds from 2009. But the crowds — and the vendors — are less numerous. Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:55:00 +0000 Renee Montagne and Ailsa Chang 30701 at http://kcur.org Inaugural Parade Begins At The Pentagon Moves To D.C. http://kcur.org/post/inaugural-parade-begins-pentagon-moves-dc After George Washington took his oath of office he was joined by a procession made up of local militias as he made his way from Mount Vernon to New York City. These days, the parade is a colorful blend of marching bands, floats and different organizations — led by ceremonial military regiments. Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:45:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 30687 at http://kcur.org Crowds Begin Converging On Washington, D.C. http://kcur.org/post/crowds-begin-converging-washington-dc Morning Edition has a team of reporters spread out across the city, getting a feel for how things are going in different areas. Thousands of people are descending on the nation's capital to be a part of President Obama's second inauguration. Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:18:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 30682 at http://kcur.org Obama To Pick New Pentagon, CIA Leaders http://kcur.org/post/obama-pick-new-pentagon-cia-leaders Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.<p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>And I'm Renee Montagne.<p>President Obama wants a Republican to be his next secretary of Defense, and some Republicans really don't like the choice.<p>Senator Chuck Hagel is a decorated Vietnam combat veteran. He's a former Nebraska senator but some of his former colleagues in Congress are reluctant to endorse him. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:56:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 30024 at http://kcur.org Politics In The News http://kcur.org/post/politics-news-16 For more about the week ahead in politics, Renee Montagne talks to regular Morning Edition contributor Cokie Roberts. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:59:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 30020 at http://kcur.org 5 Days Left To Avoid 'Fiscal Cliff" Extremes http://kcur.org/post/5-days-left-avoid-fiscal-cliff-extremes President Obama returns to Washington Thursday as do members of the U.S. Senate. They're cutting holiday plans short in hopes of coming up with a deal to avoid the tax hikes and budget cuts set to take effect on Jan. 1. Thu, 27 Dec 2012 09:34:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 29575 at http://kcur.org