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.
Democrats Make Historic Pick: It's Obama
Barack Obama sailed into history Wednesday as the first African-American to head a major-party presidential ticket. Prompted by Hillary Clinton, the party nominated him by acclamation. And after VP pick Joe Biden spoke, Obama joined him onstage.
Transcript: Bill Clinton's Prime-Time Speech
In his speech at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, Bill Clinton said Barack Obama is ready to be president. The former president also praised Obama's choice of Joe Biden as a running mate, saying, "He hit it out of the park."
Before Obama Nomination, A Roll Call For Clinton
Democratic delegates in Denver are preparing to nominate Barack Obama as their presidential candidate. But before that can happen, Hillary Clinton's name will be placed alongside Obama's in a roll call. Clinton has asked her candidates to back Obama.
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New Orleans Braces For Gustav
Facing the threat posed by Gustav, New Orleans is trying to balance an evacuation plan with the need to not cause panic. Mark Schleifstein, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, says models show the storm strengthening and potentially hitting New Orleans as a hurricane Monday.
MLB Dips Its Toe Into World Of Instant Replays
On Thursday, for the first time ever, Major League Baseball will use a limited instant-replay system to review questionable homeruns. Buster Olney, of ESPN The Magazine, says this season's rash of bad calls led to the decision.
Nosenko, Cold War-Era Russian Defector, Dies
Yuri Nosenko, who died earlier this month at the age of 81, was a Soviet intelligence officer who defected to the U.S. in the 1960s. Author Peter Earley recounts Nosenko's story, including his secret incarceration and interrogation for three years.
Clinton, Biden Among Speakers At Convention
Bill Clinton and Joe Biden are speaking Wednesday at the Democratic Convention. The party is also poised to nominate Barack Obama for president under a carefully negotiated plan that lets Hillary Clinton's supporters express their support for her.
Take The Olympics. Give Me My NFL, Please
When it comes to the people who run sports, look out for federations — and for officials wearing blue blazers. Commentator Frank Deford says team sports are easier to run than individual sports, and domestic sports are more manageable than international ones. That means the NFL trumps the Olympics.
Civilian Casualties Stir Angst In Afghanistan
After a joint U.S.-Afghan bombing raid allegedly killed 90 Afghan civilians, Afghan support for U.S. military action is waning. Officials say bad intelligence probably led to the deadly strike aimed at Taliban fighters.
Democrats To Focus On Foreign Policy Vision
Wednesday's speeches are designed to show how Biden and Obama will mesh in their approach to America's role in the world. But some question how closely their ideas align.
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What Hillary Clinton Didn't Say
For Slate.com blogger Mickey Kaus, it wasn't what Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday night, so much as what she didn't say. Like guests who don't show up at a party, it only began to bother him much later — when the buzz was over — that something was absent.
U.N.: U.S.-Led Strike Killed Dozens Of Afghan Children
The Afghan government is demanding that the U.S. and NATO presence there come under greater scrutiny. The move comes after the U.N. determined a U.S.-led air strike last week killed 90 civilians, most of them children.
Alaska's Sen. Stevens Wins GOP Primary
Despite a federal indictment, Republican Sen. Ted Stevens won his primary race for Senate and immediately proclaimed the November election a "piece of cake." He'll now move on to the general election, while facing charges that he failed to report gifts from an oil company.
Medication Error Death Rate Up 500 Percent
Painkillers, sleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs are being prescribed to out-patients in high doses, without the oversight of a doctor. A new study found that in the last 20 years there has been a 500 percent increase in the death rate from medication errors made at home.
Clinton Makes 'Electrifying' Plea To Supporters
Former presidential candidate and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton gave what some are calling the most passionate speech of her political career last night at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Host Michel Martin checks in from Denver with guest host Cheryl Corley to discuss Clinton's address and other DNC highlights.
Thousands Demand Thai Government's Resignation
Thousands of demonstrators in Thailand are occupying the prime minister's office compound. They vow to stay there until the government resigns.
Poverty Rate Reflects Stalled Economy, Experts Say
The U.S. Census Bureau reports real median household income rose slightly last year, and the official poverty rate stayed roughly the same as in the previous survey. The share of people without health insurance dropped slightly, as well. Some budget experts say the numbers demonstrate that the economy has stopped expanding.
'One Laptop' Falls Short Of Education Goals
One Laptop Per Child was an ambitious promise to children in the third world. The project has had trouble with its leadership, finances and competitors. Instead of the legacy of education for third-world children, the One Laptop Per Child program has spurred an industry in low-cost laptops for consumers.
