Renee Montagne

Select Young Afghans Chosen As Commandoes In Training

Renee Montagne — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:07:00 +0000

From the Afghan capital Kabul, Morning Edition's Renee Montagne talks to Gen, Joseph Dunford, the commander of all U.S. and international forces there. They discuss the challenges of the current situation on the ground, and look ahead to the withdrawal of NATO combat troops in 2014.

Younger Generation Poised To Lead Afghanistan's Future

Renee Montagne — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:49:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep, in Washington, with David Greene.

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.

Cyprus Proposes Exempting Smaller Deposits From Tax

Renee Montagne — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:38:00 +0000

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.

E.U. Bailout Tax Causes Bank Run In Cyprus

Renee Montagne — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:06:00 +0000

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.

Venezuelans Mourns Late President Hugo Chavez

Renee Montagne — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:08:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renee Montagne.

Venezuela is in a state of mourning for its late president, Hugo Chavez. The outsized leader died yesterday in the capital, Caracas, after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 58.

What Will Chavez's Death Mean For Cuba?

Renee Montagne — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:45:00 +0000

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RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

The death of Hugo Chavez could mean as much for Cuba as it will for Venezuela. As we just heard, Chavez looked to Fidel Castro for inspiration, and Castro has supplied Venezuela with thousands of Cuban doctors, health workers and security specialists. In return, Chavez sent a massive amount of Venezuelan oil to Cuba at cut-rate prices, and thus helped keep the Cuban economy afloat during years of crisis.

Joining us now is NPR's Tom Gjelten.

Ethnic Violence Haunts Kenya's Presidential Election

Renee Montagne — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:01:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

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.

Benedict XVI Leaves The Vatican, Headed To Retirement

Renee Montagne — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:04:00 +0000

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RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

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.

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.

Pope Benedict XVI To Resign Feb. 28

Renee Montagne — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

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.

Politics In the News

Renee Montagne — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:19:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning. I'm David Greene.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renee Montagne.

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.

Joining us, as she does most Mondays, is Cokie Roberts.

'Fruitvale' Stands Out At Sundance

Renee Montagne — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:50:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Snow, superstars, and cinema. That combination can mean only one thing at this time of year: The Sundance Film Festival. Our movie reviewer, Kenneth Turan, is on the scene in Park City, Utah, as he is every year, to tell us about some of the movies at Sundance. Good morning.

KENNETH TURAN, BYLINE: Good morning, Renee.

MONTAGNE: Let's start with dramas. What really stands out for you, Ken?

TURAN: Well, the standout film this year is a film called "Fruitvale." It's a small film.

Smaller Crowds At Capitol, But 2009's Enthusiasm Persists

Renee Montagne and Ailsa Chang — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:55:00 +0000

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.

Inaugural Parade Begins At The Pentagon Moves To D.C.

Renee Montagne — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:45:00 +0000

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.

Obama To Pick New Pentagon, CIA Leaders

Renee Montagne — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:56:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renee Montagne.

President Obama wants a Republican to be his next secretary of Defense, and some Republicans really don't like the choice.

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.

Politics In The News

Renee Montagne — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:59:00 +0000

For more about the week ahead in politics, Renee Montagne talks to regular Morning Edition contributor Cokie Roberts.

5 Days Left To Avoid 'Fiscal Cliff" Extremes

Renee Montagne — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 09:34:00 +0000

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.

Do Unions Still Have Clout In Michigan?

Renee Montagne — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:58:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

The contentious fight over labor rights has been unfolding throughout the Midwest in the last couple of years. Michigan is only the latest example.

NPR's national political correspondent Don Gonyea joins us now to explore the broader impact of all this. Good morning, Don.

DON GONYEA, BYLINE: Good morning.

MONTAGNE: So how is what has happened in Michigan different from what we've seen over the past couple of years in Wisconsin and Ohio, where Republican governors also took on labor unions?

GONYEA: Listen, those were big.

Egypt's Judges Go On Strike

Renee Montagne — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 09:57:00 +0000

President Mohammed Morsi is facing the biggest rebellion against his rule since assuming power in June. It started with a set of controversial decrees by the president that put him above the law until a constitution is in place. The move has polarized the country and every judge in the country is on strike. Critics say the president is pushing through an illegitimate constitution.

In Cairo, Efforts To Reach Mideast Cease-Fire

Renee Montagne — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:49:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Let's turn now to the urgent diplomatic efforts underway. Secretary of State Clinton is now in Cairo, meeting with Egyptian leaders in efforts to reach a ceasefire. NPR's Leila Fadel joins us from Cairo to discuss the latest.

Good morning.

LEILA FADEL, BYLINE: Good morning.

MONTAGNE: So what do you know about what's happening on the diplomatic front today there in Cairo?

FADEL: Well, at this point, actually, not much. Hillary Clinton arrived here earlier in the afternoon, but we still haven't heard anything from those meetings.

Push For Diplomatic Solution In Gaza Ramps Up

Renee Montagne — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:34:00 +0000

Transcript

LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Linda Wertheimer.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renee Montagne.

Even as talk grows louder about a possible truce, intense air assaults went back and forth over the Israeli and Gaza border today. More Palestinians were killed overnight, pushing the death toll for days of fighting to over 100 for Palestinians and three Israelis.

Still, the push for a diplomatic solution is ramping up. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in the region today.

Syrian Opposition Groups Try To Reinvigorate Mission

Renee Montagne — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:51:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Opposition groups working to bring down the regime in Syria are meeting in Doha, Qatar in a furious bid to reorganize and reinvigorate themselves. The aim is to form a legitimate government in exile that would be recognized by the international community. This new effort to bring together the Syrian opposition is strongly backed by the U.S. NPR's Kelly McEvers is in Doha and joins us to talk about it.

And let's start by you telling us exactly who is there.

KELLY MCEVERS, BYLINE: There are all kinds of people here, Renee.

Sandy Likely To Affect New York Voter Turnout

Renee Montagne — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 12:46:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep.

The triumph in some parts of the country this morning is that people are able to vote at all. Just over a week after Hurricane Sandy slammed ashore, people are voting today in New Jersey.

And in New York City, NPR's Robert Smith is in the Borough of Queens, part of New York City. He's on the line. Robert, what have you seen today?

ROBERT SMITH, BYLINE: Well, I'm actually in Rockaway Beach.

Disputes Over Early voting Ignite In Florida

Renee Montagne — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:14:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

The presidential election is still a day away and already disputes have broken out in Florida.

UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: (Chanting) Let us vote. Let us vote. Let us vote. Let us vote.

MONTAGNE: That was the scene recorded yesterday afternoon by the Miami Herald, outside the county elections supervisor's office in Miami-Dade County. Florida's Republican-dominated legislature this year cut back the number of days for early voting, from 14 to eight, and ended early voting on Saturday.

A.L. Championship: Yankees Head To Detroit Down 2-0

Renee Montagne — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:52:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

In the baseball playoffs tonight, the Detroit Tigers have a chance to put the reeling New York Yankees on the brink of elimination. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants have slowed the St. Louis Cardinals who'd been playing with the kind of magic touch that carried them to last year's World Series title. Last night in San Francisco, the Giants beat St. Louis 7-1 to even their National League Championship Series at one game each.

Nobel Economic Prize Announced Monday

Renee Montagne — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 08:51:00 +0000

Americans Alvin Roth and Lloyd Shapley won the Nobel economics prize Monday for their theory of stable allocations and the practice of market design.

Nobel Prize For Literature Announced Thursday

Renee Montagne — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 08:47:00 +0000

Mo Yan was one of three writers favored to win. He is perhaps best known in the West as the author of Red Sorghum, which was made into a film. He is only the second Chinese writer to win the Nobel — the other is poet Gao Xingjian, who won in 2000.

Judge Postpones Pennsylvania's Voter ID Law

Renee Montagne — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:08:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

A judge in Pennsylvania has blocked a key part of that state's new voter ID law, a law that's caused controversy. Now, come Election Day, voters showing up at the polls can still be asked to show a government-issued photo ID, but they will not be prevented from voting if they don't have one. NPR's Pam Fessler has been covering the story and she joins us now.

As NFL Labor Dispute Drags On, Fill-in Refs Criticized

Renee Montagne — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 08:49:00 +0000

The NFL locked out the regular officials in June because of a labor dispute. While the league and the referees union continue to disagree over a new contract, the replacements on the field are making mistakes.

NATO Suspends Most Operations With Afghan Soldiers

Renee Montagne — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 10:11:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

At the heart of NATO's strategy to turn over security to Afghanistan is the joint patrol: Afghan and international troops training and fighting shoulder-to-shoulder. Now faced with a rash of insider attacks - Afghans in uniform turning their guns on international troops - NATO is suspending most of those joint operations.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 50 NATO troops have died at the hands of Afghan security forces, or people posing as them.

Deadly Incidents Take A Toll In Afghanistan

Renee Montagne — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 09:01:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renee Montagne.

Events in Afghanistan these past couple of days are reflecting the various ways in which things are going wrong there. In Kabul today there are violent protests against the now infamous film that insults the Prophet Muhammad. This comes a day after four U.S. soldiers were killed in another insider attack. And also yesterday, a NATO airstrike killed several women and girls in the eastern part of the country.