NPR News
Water, Food Shortages Squeeze Yemen
Already one of the poorest countries by many measures, Yemen — a nation of roughly 22 million people — has been struck by severe droughts and depleted water supplies in recent years. Some Yemenis are calling the situation a potential time bomb.
German Left Courts the Working Class
A new political party in Germany has made saving the working class and the country's welfare system rallying points for attracting votes. Die Linke, or the Left Party, is drawing support from mainstream parties with a radical message.
With Resistance, Sports Stars Emerge In China
With sporting fame comes corporate sponsorship, television appearances, and fat paychecks. But in China, athletes are expected to let the government manage their image and to hand over a substantial cut of their earnings.
U.S. Approach To 'Axis Of Evil' Shifts
The Bush administration is now talking to governments it once shunned. The secretary of state met with the North Korean foreign minister this week; the undersecretary participated in talks with Iran's nuclear negotiator last weekend. The new approach has angered critics, but it doesn't extend to all "problem countries."
Congress Revisits Military's Policy On Gays
After 15 years, Congress is reconsidering its "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gays in the military. Figures show about 12,000 service members have been discharged because of their sexual orientation. And recent polls show 75 percent of Americans think people who are openly gay should be allowed to serve.
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Immigrant Rights Groups Challenge ID Theft Arrests
For years, the chief punishment for immigrants caught working illegally in the United States was deportation. Now they can face criminal charges such as identity theft, which can bring a hefty prison sentence. Immigrant rights groups and some members of Congress are challenging the practice.
Jury Sees Video Of Al-Qaida Suspect's Interrogation
The first Guantanamo Bay war crimes trial has started. A military jury viewed a video of the defendant Salim Hamdan, Osama bin Laden's former driver, kneeling before a masked U.S. soldier, denying that he worked for al-Qaida. The videotape was recorded in Afghanistan shortly after Hamdan's capture in November 2001.
Poll: Most Chinese Satisfied With Nation's Progress
As the Olympics approach, a poll finds the vast majority of Chinese are satisfied with their country's direction. The Pew Research Center conducted face-to-face interviews with more than 3,000 Chinese. China's stunning economic growth is one explanation for the extraordinary optimism. But the growth is also raising concerns about rising prices and the country's growing income gap.
Celebrity Matadors Propel Bullfighting's Comeback
Not long ago, many people in Spain were predicting the death of bullfighting. Its popularity was sagging, and voices decrying it as outdated and cruel were gaining ground in the country. But now, a few "rock star" bullfighters are making the art cool among twenty-somethings.
Gates Joins Bloomberg's Anti-Tobacco Initiative
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has joined forces with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to fight tobacco use in developing countries. Gates donated $125 million to a tobacco-control initiative that Bloomberg launched in 2002.
French Winery To Buy Napa's Chateau Montelena
A legendary French winery is purchasing a famous winemaker in California. The deal comes decades after the same California winery beat French wines in a blind taste test. Deborah Amos talks to Vic Motto, a wine industry investment banker, about the deal.
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Congress Fast-Tracks Housing Rescue Bill
Congress has put the far-reaching housing bill on a fast track to the president. The House passed the measure Wednesday, and it goes to the Senate this week. It would help homeowners facing foreclosure, and put in place a rescue plan for troubled Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Mortgage Market Working For Many Americans
Even in the midst of the worst housing slump in decades, some people are out there getting mortgages and buying homes. But they're paying more for mortgages these days, and borrowers with shaky credit won't find it easy to get a loan.
Obama Moves From Mideast To Europe
Barack Obama is in Germany, where he will meet German leader Angela Merkel. The likely Democratic presidential nominee will also give the only public speech of his weeklong foreign tour, at a Berlin park. On Friday, he'll visit France. Steve Inskeep talks to journalists Stefan Kornelius in Germany and Jean Lesieur in France about Obama's expected reception in Europe.
Scotland Election Key For British PM Brown
A special election today in Glasgow, Scotland, will be a crucial test for U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The parliamentary seat of Glasgow East is in a working class area, and a traditional stronghold of the ruling Labour Party. But polls are forecasting a defeat for Labour, which could be enough to force the unpopular Brown to step down.
MS Patient Falls Into American Insurance Gap
After he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Jeff Rubin of Philadelphia went bankrupt paying for his medical bills. Would that happen in England? Both the U.S. and the U.K. ration health care. A look at patient experiences on either side of the Atlantic.
Obama Reiterates Commitment to Israel
Barack Obama has met with top Israeli and Palestinian officials. His basic message has been that he is a friend of Israel who is committed to the special relationship between the two countries. He also said he would use "big sticks and big carrots" with Iran.
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Obama Continues Mideast Trip
After a whirlwind tour of Afghanistan and Iraq, Barack Obama has met with U.S. reporters in Amman, Jordan, before meeting the king and then flying on to Israel. The Democratic candidate is making the most of his photo opportunities in his week abroad.
Plug In, Drive On: The Promise of Next-Gen Hybrids
General Motors is partnering with more than 30 North American utility companies to create technology and energy interfaces for the introduction of plug-in hybrid vehicles. Here's a look at the impact that plug-in hybrids might have on consumers' pocketbooks and the environment.
'Golden Girls' Star Estelle Getty Dies At 84
The diminutive actress who spent 40 years struggling for success before landing a role of a lifetime in 1985 as the sarcastic octogenarian Sophia on TV's The Golden Girls, has died. She was 84, and had suffered from dementia in recent years.
