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Saturday

Police Trainer Reflects on His Year in Iraq

Mike Heidingsfield spent 13 months in Iraq as the top civilian commander in charge of training Iraqi police. He tells Linda Werteimer that Iraqi police are now a more visible presence, but that makes them targets for insurgents, too.

Police Trainer Reflects on His Year in Iraq

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Economy

Russia to Assume G-8 Leadership Amid Criticism

Russia will take over the chairmanship of the Group of Eight industrial nations at a time when there are growing concerns about President Putin's commitment to democracy. Fred Bergsten, director of the Institute for International Economics offers his insights.

Russia to Assume G-8 Leadership Amid Criticism

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National Guard Unit Helps Ailing Iraqi Baby

Members of a Georgia National Guard unit are helping make sure an Iraqi infant is treated for a severe spinal defect. Photojournalist Bill Putnam is following the story for North Country Public Radio.

National Guard Unit Helps Ailing Iraqi Baby

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National

Dakar Rally Off to a Roaring Start

The annual Dakar Rally, an off-road race from Europe to Africa, may be the world's toughest motorsport event. This year, a long line of cars, trucks and motorcycles set out from Lisbon, Portugal, on the 5,619-mile journey.

Dakar Rally Off to a Roaring Start

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Tensions on the Rise in Horn of Africa

The International Crisis Group is warning that war is again likely between Ethiopia and Eritrea, just five years after a conflict between the two African nations killed tens of thousands of people. Matt Bryden, ICG director in the region, tells Linda Wertheimer why the group is concerned.

Tensions on the Rise in Horn of Africa

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Friday

Global Returns

Building a University, and Hope, in Ghana

After nearly 20 years in the U.S., Patrick Awuah left his job at Microsoft and returned to his native Ghana. His goal: to help educate Africa's future leaders in ethics and entrepreneurship.

Building a University, and Hope, in Ghana

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World Refugee Population Drops

The world's refugee population has fallen to its lowest level in a decade, led by returnees to Afghanistan and Angola. Some would-be refugees are trapped in their countries or in refugee camps, due to more stringent refugee rules in industrial nations.

World Refugee Population Drops

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North Korea to Ban Food Aid

Officials in North Korea have announced that they are now prohibiting the foreign help sought during a famine in the 1990s. The U.N. World Food Program is shutting down factories and closing down offices. Susan Stamberg talks to United Nations' Anthony Banbury.

North Korea to Ban Food Aid

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Middle East

Pakistani Religious Schools to Defy Expulsion Order

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has ordered religious schools to expel all foreign students by Saturday, but the governing body of the country's 1,200 madrassas said it will resist. The order was issued in July after the terrorist bombing in London in an effort to fight religious extremism.

Pakistani Religious Schools to Defy Expulsion Order

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Security Threats Shut Down Iraq Refineries

An international team of election monitors was due in Iraq Friday to check allegations of fraud in this month's elections. The team's involvement may help assuage Sunni constituents angry at the outcome. Violence has caused at least two oil refineries to shut down, worsening gas shortages.

Security Threats Shut Down Iraq Refineries

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Russia Takes Reins of G-8 Amid Criticism of Putin

Russia assumes leadership of the Group of Eight industrialized nations in January. Vladimir Putin's role will be a major pinnacle of a presidency devoted to trying to re-establish Russia's status. But western countries are troubled by his growing authoritarianism.

Russia Takes Reins of G-8 Amid Criticism of Putin

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Deadline Looms for Aid Groups to Leave N. Korea

North Korea gave aid organizations a Dec. 31 deadline to leave the country. The U.N.'s World Food Program is most affected by this decision and has already scaled back its work. The WFP offices have offered a rare window into one of the most isolated nations in the world.

Deadline Looms for Aid Groups to Leave N. Korea

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Teen Travels on Own to Iraq for Class

Farris Hassan is a 16-year-old high school junior from Florida who went by himself to Iraq as a project for his class in immersion journalism. Associated Press reporter Jason Straziuso talks about his encounter with the high school student.

Teen Travels on Own to Iraq for Class

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Lines Grow as Iraqis Learn of Refinery Closure

Already beset by violence and political instability, Iraqis face another crisis as the country's largest oil refinery shuts down due to insurgent threats against fuel tank drivers. The news has sparked a growing rush for scarce gasoline, and the country's oil minister has been suspended.

Lines Grow as Iraqis Learn of Refinery Closure

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Thursday

Global Health

African Clinic Struggles to Help Children with AIDS

In Africa, almost a half-million children died last year of AIDS. Hundreds of thousands of others are in need of treatment. But very few get it because the barriers to treating children are even greater than those for adults.

African Clinic Struggles to Help Children with AIDS

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