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Friday

Chirac Says He Will Sign Modified Youth-Jobs Law

French president Jacques Chirac tells the nation that he will sign a controversial new youths-job law, but that the time period in which an employee younger than 26 could be fired would be reduced to one year. Also an employer would be obligated to give a reason for any dismissal.

Chirac Says He Will Sign Modified Youth-Jobs Law

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Rice Greeted by Protests During Visit to England

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is greeted by protests during a visit to Blackburn, Lancashire, the hometown of British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. Muslims and anti-war activists protested outside a high school where Rice was speaking. Twenty percent of the Blackburn population is Muslim.

Rice Greeted by Protests During Visit to England

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Army Bans Non-Military Issued Body Armor

The U.S. Army says it has banned the use of body armor that is not issued by the military. Army officials say any soldier wearing commercially purchased body armor will have to turn it in and have it replaced by authorized gear. Military officials said they cannot guarantee the commercial gear's safety.

Army Bans Non-Military Issued Body Armor

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Iraqi Foundation Preserves Country's Recent Past

The Iraq Memory Foundation, created by Iraqi exiles after the ouster of Saddam Hussein three years ago, aims to preserve and analyze Iraqi Baath party records. It hopes that Iraqis can understand the mistakes of the past -- and never repeat them.

Iraqi Foundation Preserves Country's Recent Past

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Italian Courts Consider Putting Berlusconi on Trial

An Italian court is holding preliminary hearings to decide whether Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and British lawyer David Mills should stand trial on corruption charges. Milan prosecutors have accused Berlusconi of paying Mills $600,000 for giving false testimony during two trials where Berlusconi was accused of corruption.

Italian Courts Consider Putting Berlusconi on Trial

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Middle East

Election Leaves Likud's Netanyahu to Pick Up the Pieces

Israel's parliamentary elections are now over and the Likud party didn't receive many votes, even though it has dominated Israeli politics for decades. Some people blame Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud party leader and Israel's finance minister. Others say he is the only hope for the party to survive.

Election Leaves Likud's Netanyahu to Pick Up the Pieces

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Territorial Tensions Build Between Russia and Georgia

Relations between Russia and the former Soviet Republic of Georgia have reached dangerous new lows. Georgian officials suspect that Russia wants to annex two areas of their republic. Observers say a worst-case scenario would involve a direct war between Russia and Georgia over the territory.

Territorial Tensions Build Between Russia and Georgia

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Law

Sudan Sued by Families for Sponsoring Terrorism

Seventeen families representing USS Cole bombing victims are suing the government of Sudan in federal court. A federal judge in Norfolk, Va., has scheduled the case for trial. This lawsuit is one of many attempting to make it very expensive for countries to sponsor terrorism.

Sudan Sued by Families for Sponsoring Terrorism

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North American Leaders Talk Immigration, Trade

President Bush is in Cancun wrapping up a summit with the leaders of Mexico and Canada. Immigration with Mexico and trade with Canada were the two issues that took up most of the president's time. Steve Inskeep talks with David Greene.

North American Leaders Talk Immigration, Trade

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Thursday

Environment

Air over Antarctica is Warming, British Scientists Say

British scientists say that during the past 30 years, the air over Antarctica has been heating up faster than anywhere else on earth. They came to this conclusion by digging up reams of data from old weather balloons, but their claim is being met with skepticism.

Air over Antarctica is Warming, British Scientists Say

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Freed Reporter Unclear on Motive for Her Abduction

American reporter Jill Carroll is released unharmed in Iraq, three months after she was kidnapped. "I was treated well, but I don't know why I was kidnapped," Carroll said in an interview on Baghdad television. Her captors had demanded that female detainees be freed or Carroll would be killed.

Freed Reporter Unclear on Motive for Her Abduction

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Art & Design

Peru Seeks Return of Machu Picchu Artifacts

Peru has announced it will sue Yale University for the return of a collection of artifacts from the Incan site of Machu Picchu. From member station WNPR, Diane Orson reports.

Peru Seeks Return of Machu Picchu Artifacts

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Sports

Some Berliners Dreading World Cup Crowds

Soccer's biggest event, the World Cup, moves to Germany this year. And with just a few months until game time, Berlin and other cities around the country are getting ready to welcome millions of fans. But not all Berliners support the rush to welcome the world.

Some Berliners Dreading World Cup Crowds

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Science

U.K.'s Royal Society Buys a Piece of Science History

Britain's leading scientific academy paid $1.75 million on Tuesday for a 17th-century manuscript that details the beginning of modern science. The Royal Society bought the manuscript on the eve of a public auction. Alex Chadwick speaks with the Steven Cox, chief executive of the Royal Society, about the big purchase.

U.K.'s Royal Society Buys a Piece of Science History

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Reporter Freed Unharmed After Months in Captivity

Free-lance reporter Jill Carroll has been released nearly three months after being kidnapped by gunmen in Iraq. Alex Chadwick discusses the release of Carroll, who worked for The Christian Science Monitory, with Jamie Taraby, reporting from Baghdad.

Reporter Freed Unharmed After Months in Captivity

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