Massive Solar Plane Tries For First Transcontinental Flight
Solar Impulse took off from Switzerland and will lumber its way to Morocco. >>
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A Tweet, A Year In A Labor Camp, And Now An Appeal
One irreverent tweet about a powerful Chinese politician was enough to get Fang Hong sent to a Chinese labor camp for a year. Encouraged by the recent fall of that politician, Bo Xilai, Fang is appealing his case and attacking the system of re-education through labor.
Spaniards Withdraw Money Over Bank Failure Fears
Any rescue of Spain's banking system could exceed the cost of Greece's total bailout. That has investors worried, after Madrid was forced to nationalize its largest real estate lender. The previous government's strategy was to force mergers among the small banks, to try to combine assets and strengthen them against debts. But what has resulted is simply bigger banks with bigger debts.
Ban Ki-moon: There's No Plan B For Syria
The U.N. Secretary-General said unfortunately the international peace plan has not been implemented.
What A Show! China's Movie Theaters Have Improved Dramatically
NPR's Frank Langfitt can't get over how much things have changed for movie fans such as him. In only a decade or so, China's theaters have gone high-tech. And they've gotten expensive.
Egypt May Be Headed To Runoff Between Islamist And Former Mubarak Aide
As officials count ballots from this week's first-ever free presidential election, the Muslim Brotherhood is claiming its candidate got the most votes and will be in a runoff next month against ousted President Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister.
Legendary Rats Return To German Town
Hamelin was the setting for the tale of the Pied Piper who lured the town's rats into a river and then led away its children when he wasn't paid. Some 700 years later, the rats have returned and chewed through the electric cable powering the town's fountain.
Treason Trial Complicates U.S.-Pakistani Relations
The Pakistani doctor who helped the U.S. pinpoint the location of Osama bin Laden is facing a 33 year prison term. A Pakistani court convicted him this week of treason. The sentencing drew protests from the Obama administration, but many in Pakistan wanted an even tougher punishment.
Hollywood Dreams Led Chinese Firm To Buy Into U.S.
When the Chinese firm Wanda announced the purchase of AMC cinemas, it may not have made a lot of business sense in the short term. But it could be part of a larger strategy that will bring the company into the U.S. in a major way.
How Crumbling U.S. Dollars Bailed Out Zimbabwe
Back in 2008, Zimbabwe's inflation rate was estimated at 79 billion percent. To cure hyperinflation, Zimbabwe ditched its own currency in favor of U.S. dollars. There's only one problem: Those constantly circulating dollars are now filthy and falling apart.
To Tap Arctic Oil, Russia Partners With Exxon Mobil
Moscow's recent deals with foreign oil companies are designed to maintain Russia as the world's No. 1 oil producer. The biggest deal, with Exxon Mobil, would put billions of dollars toward exploiting vast oil and gas reserves in Russia's Arctic waters.
Violent Riots Target African Nationals Living In Israel
A demonstration held Wednesday night in Tel Aviv in favor of deporting Africans in Israel turned into a frenzied mob. Twelve people were arrested for committing acts of violence and vandalism against Africans. Israel has tens of thousands of African nationals from Darfur and Eritrea. Over the last month, reports have filled the Israeli papers of suspicions that the Africans are responsible for a string of violent crimes, and rapes, though actual evidence only incriminates them in a handful of circumstances.
After Long Nuclear Talks, Iran Agrees To Meet Again
Iranian officials continue meetings with envoys from six world powers in Baghdad on Thursday. They are seeking a solution to the long-running standoff over Tehran's nuclear program.
Egyptian Leaders Weigh In On Election
Robert Siegel talks to three Egyptians about the second day of voting in the country's first free election since ousting former President Hosni Mubarak last year. Fifty million people are registered to vote, and preliminary results are expected over the weekend. He talks to Mohamed ElBaradei, leader of the National Association for Change, Dalia Ziada, a founding member of the Justice Party, and Abdul Mawgoud Rageh Dardery, an Egyptian parliamentarian.
Egyptians Report Few Hang-ups During Voting
Voting in Egypt's first free presidential election wrapped up Thursday and ballot counting began. If no one wins a majority, the contest goes to a run-off next month.
U.S. Targets Al-Qaida In Chatrooms, Banner Ads
For some time now al-Qaida has been attracting recruits through the Internet. The group has launched jihadi chatrooms and online magazines, and their recruitment efforts have been fairly successful. Now the State Department is fighting back with something they call the "Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications."
Explaining Economic Inequality Between Nations
In his Pulitzer Prize-winning book Guns, Germs and Steel, Jared Diamond looked back over thousands of years of human history to examine fundamental questions behind why some societies built empires while others withered. Diamond now has some new ideas for why vast economic inequalities persist.
Talks With Iran To Reconvene Next Month
Negotiations over Iran's nuclear program may not have made any obvious progress, but diplomats at least agreed to keep talking.
Hard-Line Muslims Test Indonesia's Tolerance
Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population and has drawn praise for evolving into a vibrant, pluralistic democracy. But the rise of hard-line Muslim groups and recent cases of religious persecution have led some to question whether it lives up to that reputation.
Estonia's Fake Chocolate: Born Of Necessity, Reborn In Nostalgia
In tough economic times, people almost never cut out comfort foods like chocolate. But sometimes, when you just can't get the foods you love, deprivation can lead to a new food invention, like Estonia's faux chocolate bar, the Kama bar.
Reagan Blood Update: It's No Longer For Sale
As the NPR news blog The Two-Way reports, the online auction firm says the consigner of the controversial item has apparently had second thoughts and decided to donate it to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation which runs the library and museum dedicated to the 40th president.
Egypt's Historic Voting Continues
Egyptians are voting in their first free presidential election. It was just over a year ago that the regime of President Hosni Mubarak was toppled.
Iran Nuclear Talks Described As Long, Hard
The U.S. and its allies are pressing Iran to freeze its production of highly-enriched uranium, but are refusing to offer the kind of easing of economic sanctions that Iran is seeking as a concession. The talks began Wednesday in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Egyptians Vote In 2nd Day Of Presidential Election
The first free presidential election in Egypt is in its second day. Thirteen candidates are vying to replace Hosni Mubarak. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the overall vote, there will be a runoff next month between the top two vote getters.
Muslim Brotherhood Unmatched In Grassroot Support
One of the candidates running in Egypt's presidential election is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. The group, Egypt's largest and best-organized political group, won almost half the seats in Parliament earlier this year. But the presidential election is more of a challenge.
Travel Apps That Help You Pack, Explore And Enjoy The Scenery
Mobile phones and tablets have put a world of information at our fingertips, even when we're on the go. It would seem natural, then, for smartphones to help make traveling easier and more fun. But not all apps are created equal — so we got advice from Lauren Goode, a senior editor at the All Things D blog.
Beijing Imposes 'Two-Fly' Rule For Public Restrooms
The rule, instituted to improve sanitation, applies to bathrooms in tourist spots such as parks, railway stations, supermarkets and malls.
Austrian Pilot Hopes To Break Freefall Record
Audie Cornish talks to pilot Felix Baumgartner, who plans to freefall from 120,000 feet above the earth and break the speed of sound with his body. He will attempt to break a 50-year-old record held by retired Air Force Colonel Joe Kittinger which is nearly 103,000 feet.
Helicopter Rescues Increasing On Everest
This weekend, hundreds of climbers will attempt to scale, Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak. For those mountaineers who run into trouble, a growing number of high-altitude helicopters are there to the rescue. But the booming business in chopper rescues comes with some downsides. Robert Siegel talks with Nick Heil, contributing editor at Outside magazine, for more.
E.U. Leaders Hold 'Mini-Summit' On Debt Crisis
European Union leaders are in Brussels for a mini-summit to discuss ways to promote jobs and growth in Europe while keeping the debt crisis from deepening.
Radical Left Reshaping Face Of Politics In Greece
Greece's leftist leader says his party will not seek to leave the Eurozone if it wins next month's parliamentary elections. Alexis Tsipras, who heads the Coalition of the Radical Left, called on France and Germany to stand in solidarity with the Greek people and to "stop their policy of austerity." Robert Siegel talks with Euclid Tsakalotos, the left's top economic adviser and economic professor at the University of Athens.
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