Search results for

With daily violence, a dead economy, health-care system in crisis, corruption, sabotage, chronic shortages of water and gas, and almost no public services, the Iraqi government has more than its share of problems to address. But a few months into their first year in office, most of the government is on a monthlong vacation.

Three more British men arrested in the plot to blow up American-bound airliners have been arraigned and denied bail. Of the two dozen people originally arrested in the plot, fifteen are facing charges. Five others remain in custody for further questioning.

Delirious Italian fans celebrate Italy's first World Cup title in 24 years, and its fourth overall. The Italians beat France on penalty kicks Sunday night in Berlin. The win comes with the backdrop of a domestic match-fixing scandal that has rocked Italian professional soccer.

The President speaks to the American Legion convention in Salt Lake City, the first of five scheduled policy speeches on the struggle against terrorism. The White House said it is the first in a series of speeches about the war on terrorism that will lead up to the president's address to the United Nations next month.

With Tehran making it clear that it won't curtail its nuclear program, the country faces possible U.N.-levied sanctions. Tehran seems to be betting that it can survive sanctions because of its vast oil reserves -- and oil prices that are hovering around $70 a barrel. It also has the support of countries like Russia and China.

Legendary journalist Daniel Schorr, NPR senior news analyst, is celebrating his 90th birthday. He recalls some of his earliest exploits in journalism: from his first scoop as a 12-year-old to how he became a news reporter instead of a music critic.

Youth Radio reporter Jazmine Livingston is a California student who thinks an "exit exam" is a valid requirement for graduation. The college-bound high school senior feels that all students have plenty of time and assistance to prepare for the test -- and if they can't pass, they shouldn't graduate.

Mickey Mouse is a famous cartoon character, perhaps the most famous. But there is also the phrase "mickey mouse," which may be traced back to the slang of World War II. But it's a bit of slang that falls into a gray area rarely visited by lexicographers.

Army Spc. Mark Wilkerson served for a year in Iraq, and was scheduled to return for another tour of duty. The Army denied his request for conscientious-objector status, so he disappeared for 18 months. On Thursday, Wilkerson returned to his base in Ford Hood, Texas, to turn himself in.

Mortgage rates are on their way back down again, just as the housing market seems to be cooling in many markets around the country. Figures out this week from Freddie Mac show the average rate on a 30-year fixed loan to be 6.4 percent, down from 6.8 percent a month ago.

A new series in The Washington Post asks: What does it mean to be a black man in America? Post editors Kevin Merida and Steven Holmes talk about the reports.

Director Richard Linklater's adaptation of the Philip K. Dick novel A Scanner Darkly stars Keanu Reeves. It was produced by filming live actors, and rendering the images in a painting-like animation process. Bob Mondello reviews.