Alison Meuse

Investors in Lebanon's port city of Tripoli hope its proximity to Syria makes it the hub for hundreds of billions of dollars in reconstruction when the Syrian civil war ends — someday.

The Islamic State is losing territory in Iraq and Syria but is trying to keep its supporters' spirits up through song. Its newest release, "My State Remains," reveals an organization down but not out.

The Trump administration says it believes the Assad regime in Syria could be preparing to wage another chemical weapons attack. There's been no official reaction from the Assad government.

Iraq's military said ISIS destroyed the 12th century al-Nuri mosque in Mosul's Old City, where ISIS fighters remain. Allied forces are trying to recapture the last of the city.

Police say one person died after a vehicle hit pedestrians near a mosque in north London. The U.S. military says it shot down a Syrian Air Force jet that bombed U.S.-backed forces fighting ISIS.

More than 190 Democrats in Congress are suing President Trump over foreign payments to his businesses. Also, a look at the future of the Republican health care plan, and white phosphorous use in Iraq.

It's the first time the coalition has admitted using the incendiary substance in the push to retake Mosul from the Islamic State. A general says it's used "to get civilians out safely."

ISIS claimed responsibility for attacks in Tehran, one on Iran's parliament, the other on a shrine to Ayatollah Khomeni. Attacks are very unusual in Iran, which is a relatively peaceful place.

In recent weeks, protesters have been killed and arrested, an opposition party dissolved and an independent newspaper closed. Some accuse President Trump of prioritizing arms sales over human rights.

Qatar hosts a key air base for the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS. It's unclear how or if coalition members that severed ties with Qatar will continue to participate in operations out of that base.

In Lebanon, the LGBT community has made important strides in recent years. But activists say there's still much to be done to achieve equal rights. The first Beirut Pride week was earlier this month.

Over the past year, Lebanon has made strides in the legal battle to decriminalize homosexuality. Speaking at Beirut Pride week, members of the community say there's still a long way to acceptance.

Hezbollah's support of Syria's government has been controversial, so the Lebanese militant group is trying to remind people what made it popular before: fighting Israel.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says most of the victims were families evacuating from two Shiite villages, Fuaa and Kefraya, long besieged by rebels. No group has claimed responsibility.

"Our feelings today are mixed between happiness and sadness," a Syrian woman tells NPR. "We're tired inside. We're tired of planes. We want to live a normal life."

"Their faces had turned yellow and they had stopped breathing," a Syrian activist tells NPR. "As I'm describing the incident to you now, my hands are shaking. No, my whole body is shaking."

An apparent chemical weapons attack on a rebel-held area of Syria claims the lives of dozens of civilians, including children. The White House blames the Syrian government.

The U.S. considers deploying hundreds more American troops to Syria in the final phase of the war against ISIS — one that could reshape borders and relationships in the Middle East.

The U.S. had to step into northern Syria recently to keep two factions it supports from fighting with each other. They're supposed to be fighting ISIS.

Over the past week, normally secure areas of Damascus, Syria have been hit by deadly explosions. It could signal a push by a powerful jihadist coalition to shape the direction of the conflict.