NPR Top Stories
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.
Fed Considers Buying Commercial Paper
The Fed and Treasury is considerig entering the commercial paper market, made up of unsecured corporate IOUs extended over a short period of time. We examine just how risky the unprecedented move is.
Fed Leaps Into Commercial Paper Market
In a sign that the Federal Reserve isn't convinced that the $700 billion financial rescue plan put in place last week will be enough to resurrect the morbid credit markets, the central bank said Tuesday that it would begin to buy unsecured short-term loans known as commercial paper.
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Former Republican Senator Supporting Obama
Former Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee looks ahead to tonight's second presidential debate. The former Republican talks about switching political parties and why he now supports Sen. Barack Obama's bid for the White House.
Federal Reserve Tries To Get Credit Moving Again
The government announced Tuesday that it plans to buy huge amounts of short-term debts from companies. The Fed will buy "commercial paper," a short-term financing mechanism that many companies use to finance their day-to-day operations, like meeting payroll or purchasing supplies.
Fed Takes Drastic Step To Unfreeze Credit Market
The Federal Reserve announced Tuesday a dramatic plan to buy massive amounts of short-term debts in an effort to break through the country's credit clog. Officials say the Fed will buy "commercial paper," a short-term financing mechanism that many companies rely on to finance their day-to-day operations, such as purchasing supplies or making payrolls.
European Ministers Plot Cure For Financial Crisis
Finance ministers from the 27 European Union countries meet in Luxembourg on Tuesday to consider what, if anything, their governments can do together to stop the spreading financial crisis. Individual European governments disagree about what should be done.
Nano Production Hits A Pothole In West Bengal
The Nano, billed as the world's cheapest car, was supposed to roll off an Indian production line this month. But that plan hit a snag when Tata Motors announced it had to build the car somewhere else. The company closed the new plant in the state of West Bengal after violent protests.
Credit Crisis Spreads To Hospitals, Colleges
The credit crisis has moved from big institutions like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to smaller institutions like hospitals, colleges and nonprofit organizations. Rising interest rates are limiting their ability to expand, and they warn that rising debt payments will cut into staff and services.
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Candidates Mine For Rural Votes In Nevada
Nevada is one of several states still up for grabs. Republican voters in the state's rural counties are enthusiastic about Republican presidential nominee John McCain. But Democrat-run voter registration drives are gaining ground in urban areas like Las Vegas. Neither campaign is taking the state for granted.
Europe Not United Over How To Resolve Crisis
European governments are scrambling to shore up their banks. The governments promised to work together to solve the financial crisis, but so far, they have acted separately. Philip Coggan, a columnist for the Financial Times, talks with Ari Shapiro about the steps European officials are taking to reassure investors, and whether those steps are working.
Bank Of America To Modify Countrywide Loans
In the boldest step yet by any bank to address the ongoing foreclosure crisis, Bank of America, which now owns mortgage giant Countrywide Financial, has settled with state prosecutors who sued Countrywide for predatory lending. Bank of America agreed to make loans more affordable for about 400,000 homeowners.
Taped Phone Conversations Played At Stevens Trial
Jurors heard secretly recorded telephone conversations Monday in the trial of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens. The calls were taped in 2006 with the consent of witness Bill Allen, who admitted under cross-examination that he never tried to bribe the Alaska lawmaker. Stevens is charged with lying about money and gifts on financial disclosure forms.
Hurdles Remain In Iraq Security Agreement
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte is making an unannounced visit to Iraq on Tuesday. U.S. and Iraqi officials have been negotiating a deal governing the operation of U.S. troops in Iraq, which expires this year. Iraq's foreign minister says it will take "bold political decisions" to overcome the final hurdles.
New Army Field Manual Is Road Map To Stabilization
The Army has a new operations manual that emphasizes nation-building over conventional warfare. The Stability Operations Field Manual was put together at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., the home of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center. The new doctrine will drive Army resources, organization and training for many years to come.
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Consumer Issues Top Supreme Court's Docket
As the Supreme Court opens its new term, the justices have more business and consumer cases on their schedule. Key cases revolve around packaging rules, state lawsuits and protecting dolphins in California.
Selling Spree Sends Dow Below 10,000 Mark
As angst about the global economy grows, the Dow Jones industrial average fell by as much as 800 points Monday before recovering some losses toward the end of the trading session. Meanwhile, the Treasury released some details of how the $700 billion bailout will be administered.
Obama Video Highlights McCain's Keating Five Link
Barack Obama's campaign has hinted that if the McCain campaign brings up Obama's association with Bill Ayers, it will fire back with reminders of McCain's association with Charles Keating. It has released a 15-minute video on the topic.
Obama's Links To Ex-Radical Examined
The Barack Obama campaign finds itself back on the defensive over questions about his relationship with Bill Ayers, a 1960s-era radical.
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