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.
Nobel Prize In Physics
The Nobel Prize in physics is announced Tuesday in Stockholm, Sweden. NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce talks with Steve Inskeep about the winner and their work.
Afghan Amputees Avoid Begging With Bike Service
Most of the tens of thousands of people in Afghanistan who have lost legs to land mines have no way to make a living other than begging. But one group has come up with another way to feed its families: It operates a bicycle messenger service in Kabul.
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.
» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
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.
Treasury Outlines Plan On Illiquid Assets
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has named former Goldman Sachs executive Neel Kashkari to head the $700 billion rescue program. Treasury also issued documents outlining how companies can become "asset managers" to handle illiquid assts on behalf of the government.
As Dow Plummets, A Trader Urges Calm
The Dow Jones industrial average has plummeted, closing below 10,000 points for the first time in four years. Ted Weisberg, a floor trader at the New York Stock Exchange, says much of stock trading is driven by human emotion and the decision-making process is being driven by fear and concern.
Europe Works To Stem Banking Crisis
More European governments are following Germany's lead by offering blanket deposit guarantees to savers in a frantic effort to calm fears among investors over the worst financial crisis in 80 years. Sweden became the latest to act.
FHA's Role In Homeowners' Rescue Plan Explained
The Hope for Homeowners program to help struggling homeowners refinance their mortgages into more affordable, government-backed loans went into effect Oct. 1. Brian Montgomery, Federal Housing Administration commissioner, says the foreclosure crisis may have had less of an impact if the FHA had been reformed earlier.
» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Lehman CEO Testifies On Capitol Hill
Even as the company was heading toward collapse, executives at Lehman Brothers were being awarded millions in bonuses and special payments. Lehman CEO Richard Fuld has told Congress he feels "horrible" about the way the company imploded.
Markets Down Sharply
U.S. stocks have fallen again on further concerns that the credit crisis has gone global. At one stage, the Dow dropped almost 800 points before recovering later. The Dow declined 3 percent and the S&P 500 was down more than 3 percent.
Nobel Panel Decides Against U.S. HIV Discovery
The 2008 Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine went in part to two French researchers for discovering the virus that causes AIDS. The award was not shared by American Robert Gallo, who has also claimed a role in the discovery of HIV. Additionally, a German scientist got the prize for establishing the cause of most cervical cancers.
Worries About Voter Intimidation Run High
Voting advocates are concerned that people could be prevented from voting if they are aggressively questioned by political parties or other voters at the polls Nov. 4. Laws governing this intimidation vary from state to state and are often vague.
Christian Security Forces Growing Stronger In Iraq
The security forces, organized through local churches, are manning checkpoints in Iraq and working with police. The mystery of where their funding comes from seems to center on a media-shy and reclusive political figure.
Candidates Step Up Personal Attacks
Both the McCain and Obama campaigns are starting to get personal, with attacks about each other's past and associations. Our senior Washington editor explores who is likely to benefit, as the candidates focus on dirt.
» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
E.U. Governments Guaranteeing Bank Deposits
Share prices dropped on the European markets in response to the growing financial crisis Monday. A number of European governments are guaranteeing bank deposits, following a trend set by Ireland last week.
Is The U.S. Still On Top?
Cleverly packaged U.S. subprime mortgages have contaminated economies around the world. European countries were among the first to realize that hundreds of billions of dollars in toxic mortgage securities were woven into their assets. Will the United States' place in the global economy survive?
» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
