NPR News
German Left Courts the Working Class
A new political party in Germany has made saving the working class and the country's welfare system rallying points for attracting votes. Die Linke, or the Left Party, is drawing support from mainstream parties with a radical message.
N.C. City To Make Nation's First Digital Switch
On Monday, the city of Wilmington, N.C., will be the canary in the digital coal mine when it becomes the first U.S. city to permanently switch television broadcasts from analog to digital.
China Eyes Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Bailout
The government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is making waves far off American shores. China is watching the events closely because some 10 percent of China's gross domestic product is invested with the troubled mortgage giants. NPR's Adam Davidson talks with host Jacki Lyden about China's stake in the U.S. mortgage industry.
Ex-Mexican Mafia Head Now Lives Under The Radar
What's it like for a prison-gang leader when he decides to drop out? For Rene Enriquez, who is serving two life sentences in California, cooperating with police has its perks — like video games and a razor for shaving. But it also means he leads a secret life.
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Paulson: Action on Fannie, Freddie Was Necessary
The federal government today announced its plans for a takeover of the troubled mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. While U.S. officials had hoped to avoid a bailout, the deterioration of the two companies could no longer be ignored.
Hurricane Ike Churns Through Caribbean
Hurricane Ike has passed over Haiti and is now steaming toward the Gulf of Mexico, leaving devastation in its wake. Flooding has hampered relief efforts in the port city of Gonaives, Haiti, which is still suffering from the effects of Tropical Storm Hanna.
U.S. Takes Over Troubled Mortgage Giants
U.S. mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be put into conservatorship and their top executives will be removed, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said. The intervention comes after the companies lost billions in the housing market turmoil, with no sign things are getting better.
Calif. Church Provides Sanctuary To Immigrant
A small church north of Los Angeles became a sanctuary nearly a year ago for a female, illegal immigrant facing deportation. The United Church of Christ in Simi Valley is attracting anti-illegal immigration demonstrators angry that the church is sheltering the woman.
Haiti Is Struck By Hanna, Drenched By Ike
In Haiti, relief efforts continue almost a week after Tropical Storm Hanna caused extensive flooding on the island. The town of Gonaives was the hardest hit; scores of people were killed and much of the city remains under water. Aid workers are desperately trying to provide food, shelter and medicine to people there while fearing more flooding from Hurricane Ike.
U.S. To Take Over Mortgage Giants Fannie, Freddie
The Treasury Department is poised to announce it will takeover Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which together back roughly half of all outstanding U.S. mortgages. The government intervention comes after the companies lost billions in the housing market turmoil, with no sign things are getting better.
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Effects Of The Fannie/Freddie Takeover
Host Liane Hansen speaks with Nariman Behravesh, Chief Economist at Global Insight. Behravesh says that without major action, chances of the housing crunch and credit crisis dragging on for another year are very high. But early action will probably save taxpayers in the long run, because the damage to the economy will be less.
U.S. Immigration Agency And Deportation
Some 600 illegal immigrants were arrested in a major federal raid at a Mississippi manufacturing plant recently. The Bush Administration charged only eight of the immigrants criminally and sent the rest for civil deportation proceedings. Host Liane Hansen speaks to NPR's Jennifer Ludden to find out if this signals a shift in administration policy.
Louisiana Oyster Industry Reels From Gustav
Host Liane Hansen speaks with Kevin Voisin, Vice President of Marketing at Motivatit Seafoods in Houma Louisiana. The company was hit hard by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and now the Houma area is reeling in the aftermath of Gustav.
Relief Efforts Under Way In Flood-Stricken Haiti
Haitians are heading to higher ground to escape massive flooding caused by Tropical Storm Hanna, and they're bracing themselves for Hurricane Ike. More than 150 people have been killed.
Gangster Reveals Mexican Mafia Secrets
Rene Enriquez was once a leader in the Mexican mafia. He killed for the gang and ordered the deaths of many men and women. But after reaching the pinnacle of prison-gang life, he decided to leave and share information with the police.
Bhutto's Widower Elected President In Pakistan
Just over nine months after his wife, Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated in a suicide attack, Asif Ali Zardari has been chosen as the new president of Pakistan. His election Saturday has been received warily by the Pakistani public. It came on a day marred by death and mayhem after a suicide bomb attack in Peshawar killed at least 30 people.
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Government To Bail Out Mortgage Giants
The U.S. government is poised to take control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, according to a number of reports published on Saturday. The reports, quoting unidentified officials, say the government will take the companies into conservatorship in an effort to shore up the battered housing and mortgage markets.
Tracing A Father's Steps On China's Long March
Red Army soldiers trekked through China on their epic journey nearly 75 years ago. The daughter of an officer, Diane Zhang, follows the route on a quest to learn about the defining moment in her family's and China's history.
Storm May Force Rescheduling of U.S. Open
Tropical Storm Hanna is an uninvited player in this year's U.S. Open. Scott Simon talks with Weekend Edition's Howard Bryant about the men's semifinals, the women's finals and a look ahead to the week in baseball.
Tis The Season Of The Political T-Shirt
The Democratic and Republican national conventions got reporter Rachel Myrow thinking about political t-shirts. She wonders which party is selling more t-shirts this season as well as what clever — and inappropriate — things end up on them.
