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Thursday

Opinion

In Iran, Intolerance for Hostage-Takers

Robert Siegel talks with Mark Bowden, national correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly and the author of a forthcoming book, Guest of the Ayatolla. Bowden has been to Iran and interviewed a number of the Iranians who overthrew the American Embassy during the revolution, holding hostages there, and has interviewed other Iranians about their attitudes about it for a book coming out next spring. Bowden says other hostage takers have told him that the man just elected president of Iran was one of the eight students responsible for planning and executing the hostage taking. Bowden says the former hostage-takers are not held up as heroes in Iran anymore, that they have been criticized by both the right and the left in recent years.

In Iran, Intolerance for Hostage-Takers

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Italy Weighs In on CIA Arrest Warrants

The Italian government comments for the first time about the decision of a Milan judge to issue arrest warrants for 13 CIA agents. They are accused of kidnapping an Egyptian Muslim preacher in an extra-judicial "rendition." The man was apparently taken to Egypt for interrogation, during which he says he was tortured. There has been no comment from the American or Egyptian governments.

Italy Weighs In on CIA Arrest Warrants

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Tsunami Relief Money Is Slow to Take Effect

It's been 6 months since a tsunami swept across the Indian Ocean, killing a quarter of a million people in a dozen countries. As NPR's Margot Adler reports, the billions of dollars in aid that have poured into those countries is only beginning to make a dent.

Tsunami Relief Money Is Slow to Take Effect

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National

Trumpeting Tourism in Nigeria's Calabar

Many who pick a holiday destination in Africa opt for Kenya, South Africa, Tunisia or perhaps Morocco. But the city of Calabar in Nigeria -- Africa's most populous nation, a global oil producer and a continental powerhouse -- probably doesn't figure high on many destination lists. It's remote, even for Nigerians. But the governor has grand plans to change all that.

Trumpeting Tourism in Nigeria's Calabar

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A Conversation with Sen. Ted Kennedy

President Bush strongly defended his handling of the Iraq war on Tuesday in response to mounting criticism from Congress and the American people. But Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy (D-MA) called the war an "intractable quagmire" at a recent armed services committee hearing. Kennedy joins host Ed Gordon to discuss Iraq, his new immigration reform bill, and the Voting Rights Act.

A Conversation with Sen. Ted Kennedy

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Crews Reach Downed Copter in Afghanistan

Search crews in Afghanistan reach the wreckage of a U.S. helicopter that went down in the mountains along the Pakistan border earlier this week. There's no word on the fate of 17 crew members. The search was hampered by rugged terrain, bad weather and the threat of hostile fire.

Crews Reach Downed Copter in Afghanistan

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Global Health

Drug Distribution Problems Impede AIDS Fight

Global efforts to curb the spread of AIDS are falling short of expectations. A main problems is distributing anti-viral drugs in high volume to low and middle-income countries. Dr. Jim Yong Kim, director of the World Health Organization's department for HIV/AIDS, gives Steve Inskeep an update on the crisis.

Drug Distribution Problems Impede AIDS Fight

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Muslims Celebrate New Mosque in Tatarstan

Muslims in Russia celebrate a momentous occasion: the opening of a mosque in Kazan, capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. It's been more than 500 years since Ivan the Terrible destroyed the last mosque that stood in Kazan.

Muslims Celebrate New Mosque in Tatarstan

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Wednesday

Bringing Afghanistan's Lessons to Iraq

Melissa Block talks with the U.S. ambassador-elect to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad. Known for his hands-on approach as the ambassador to Afghanistan, Khalilzad faces new challenges in the country's insurgency and reconstruction. He will be officially sworn into the post Thursday.

Bringing Afghanistan's Lessons to Iraq

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National

Downed Copter in Afghanistan Was Under Fire

The fate of 17 U.S. military personnel aboard a Chinook helicopter that went down near the Afghan-Pakistani border Tuesday remains uncertain. Officials confirm that the copter was under hostile fire, but they say severe weather and rugged terrain are hampering recovery efforts.

Downed Copter in Afghanistan Was Under Fire

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Conservatives React to Bush's Iraq War Address

Alex Chadwick talks with Danielle Pletka, vice president for foreign and defense policy studies at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute, about President Bush's speech Tuesday night addressing concerns about the war in Iraq. Poll indicate a majority of Americans are unhappy with Bush's handling of the invasion and ongoing occupation of Iraq.

Conservatives React to Bush's Iraq War Address

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Bush Cites Progress, Urges Patience on Iraq

On the one-year anniversary of Iraqi sovereignty, President Bush spoke before a crowd of troops at Fort Bragg, N.C. He thanked them for their perseverance and urged all Americans to support the ongoing effort in Iraq. Juan Williams and Ed Gordon discuss the speech and its implications.

Bush Cites Progress, Urges Patience on Iraq

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National

A Politically Correct Battle of Trafalgar

Nearly 170 ships crowded the waters off Portsmouth on England's south coast Tuesday night to mark the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. In the real battle, the British navy routed Napoleon's French fleet. The recreation was watered down a bit.

A Politically Correct Battle of Trafalgar

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Canadian House Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill

After 18 months of contentious debate, Canada's House of Commons passes a bill to give same-sex marriages the same weight as conventional marriages. Canada's Senate is expected to pass the bill in July. Same-sex marriages are already recognized by eight of Canada's 10 provinces.

Canadian House Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill

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Mexico Clears Way for Voting by Mail

Mexico's legislature approves a measure to allow millions of Mexicans living in the United States and abroad to vote by mail. NPR's Carrie Kahn reports from Southern California on the impact of the decision on both sides of the border.

Mexico Clears Way for Voting by Mail

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