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Many Stories, One World

Monday

Author Interviews

Lessons For The Modern World From The Societies Of 'Yesterday'

In his new book, The World Until Yesterday, Jared Diamond argues that traditional societies have much to teach the modern world about different ways to eat and stay fit, and how to raise children and resolve conflicts.

Lessons For The Modern World From The Societies Of 'Yesterday'

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Congo Fighting Leaves A Fragile City On Edge

Congolese women wait for food to be distributed at the Mugunga III camp for displaced people outside the eastern town of Goma on Dec. 2. Jerome Delay/AP hide caption

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Jerome Delay/AP

Africa

Congo Fighting Leaves A Fragile City On Edge

In recent years, the Congolese city of Goma has been a bit of a haven for those fleeing war in surrounding areas. But now, the army and rebels are both in the city, raising fears that fighting could break out at any time.

Congo Fighting Leaves A Fragile City On Edge

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Economy

Is Our Economy Better Than Theirs?

The countdown is on to a new year — and the fiscal changes that are on the other side of midnight. But what else is on the cards economically for 2013, both here and overseas? Guest host Celeste Headlee puts the question to the Wall Street Journal's Sudeep Reddy.

Is Our Economy Better Than Theirs?

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A Child Of The Slums Becomes A 'Queen' Of Chess
Simon & Schuster

Books

A Child Of The Slums Becomes A 'Queen' Of Chess

Phiona Mutesi grew up in one of the roughest slums in Uganda. Her days were spent focusing on survival, until she discovered chess. She's now on her way to becoming a world-class chess competitor. Host Michel Martin speaks with Mutesi, her coach Robert Katende, and Tim Crothers, who chronicles her story in his new book, The Queen of Katwe.

A Child Of The Slums Becomes A 'Queen' Of Chess

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Green Grapes And Red Underwear: A Spanish New Year's Eve

Ringing in the New Year in Spain requires eating a dozen grapes and wearing a very specific kind of undergarment. Jeff Koehler hide caption

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Jeff Koehler

The Salt

Green Grapes And Red Underwear: A Spanish New Year's Eve

As a clock tower rings out 12 chimes, people all over the country will scoff a dozen grapes, hoping for good luck. With several seeds per grape and only a couple of seconds to swallow each one, the task is harder than it sounds. And then there's the bit about wearing a gift of red undergarments.

Economy

Europe Fails To Stimulate Growth In 2012

Europe spent much of this year trying to hold its common currency pact together. Greece, Spain, Italy and other countries flirted with disaster as interest rates spiked, forcing the debtor nations to accept austerity programs. The turmoil was bad enough to push much of the eurozone into recession.

Europe Fails To Stimulate Growth In 2012

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Asia

Under Pressure, India Fast-Tracks Gang-Rape Case

Demonstrations in India continued for a second straight day after a young woman who was gang-raped on a public bus died of her injuries over the weekend. Police are awaiting forensic reports that would establish the presence of the men inside the bus that the young woman boarded with her companion, who was also brutally beaten in the attack.

Under Pressure, India Fast-Tracks Gang-Rape Case

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Sunday

Asia

Brewing Tension, Perhaps More Human Rights In Asia

James Fallows of The Atlantic, breaks down the controversy as he joins host Jacki Lyden for a look ahead at Asia 2013. He looks at economic friction between China and the U.S., human rights and the China-Japan dispute over islands in the East China Sea.

Brewing Tension, Perhaps More Human Rights In Asia

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Middle East

A Swell Of Elections In Post-Arab Spring Middle East

Two years after the Arab Spring changed the political landscape in Middle East, the region realized this year that the second stage of the pivotal uprisings is more difficult than the euphoric first. Host Jacki Lyden talks to Robin Wright, a joint fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Woodrow Wilson International Center, about the important events in 2013 expected to shape the future of the Middle East.

A Swell Of Elections In Post-Arab Spring Middle East

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Street Signs Intended To Give Pakistani City New Direction

Street signs in the city of Lahore, Pakistan, are rare. The few that exist are in disrepair, like the one above. Two entrepreneurs are looking to change that and improve navigation in the city. Dina Temple-Raston hide caption

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Dina Temple-Raston

Social Entrepreneurs: Taking On World Problems

Street Signs Intended To Give Pakistani City New Direction

In one of Pakistan's oldest cities, Lahore, street signs are rare, and people constantly ask for directions. Two young entrepreneurs are hoping to change that with a project to make street signs commonplace.

Street Signs Intended To Give Pakistani City New Direction

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The Mysterious Disappearance Of The Russian Crown Jewels

After the 1917 revolution, Russia's new rulers debated what to do with the crown jewels. This 1925 photo shows the collection. However, a 1922 album at the U.S. Geological Survey includes photos of four items that are not described in the official 1925 inventory. www.usgs.gov hide caption

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www.usgs.gov

Europe

The Mysterious Disappearance Of The Russian Crown Jewels

After the 1917 Russian Revolution, there was a debate over what to do with the spectacular jewels that had symbolized the power and wealth of the czars. Most have remained in the Kremlin, but some can't be traced.

The Mysterious Disappearance Of The Russian Crown Jewels

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Saturday

Anger Swells As Indians Mourn For Rape Victim

Protesters hold candles during a rally in New Delhi late Saturday following the death of a woman gang-raped on a bus. Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Anger Swells As Indians Mourn For Rape Victim

As thousands of candles glow at a somber scene in a central Delhi park on Saturday, there is quiet, sober reflection in India about the tragic end of a young woman who has come to symbolize violence against all women in India.

Middle East

With Egypt's New Choices, The Burden Of Democracy

With former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ousted, there was space in 2012 for new political leaders to come forward. Host Jacki Lyden talks with NPR's Cairo correspondent, Leila Fadel, about the transformations that took place in Egypt in the past year.

With Egypt's New Choices, The Burden Of Democracy

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Same-Sex Marriage And Adoption: Unresolved Issues In France

A man wears a costume reading "Dad" and "Mom" during a demonstration against gay marriage and adoption by same-sex couples in Nice, France, in October. Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images

Europe

Same-Sex Marriage And Adoption: Unresolved Issues In France

Opposition to a bill allowing gay couples to adopt has been unexpectedly fierce in the country, which legalized civil unions more than a decade ago. In a rare move, and to the surprise of many, even the French Catholic Church has become involved in the debate.

Same-Sex Marriage And Adoption: Unresolved Issues In France

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