Enlarge image Jimmy Stewart in a scene from the 1939 film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. AP Jimmy Stewart in a scene from the 1939 film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. AP Sen. Carl Levin, the Michigan Democrat who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, was clearly frustrated with the tactics some of his colleagues […]
Enlarge Coburn Dukehart/NPR Jessica Bermudez, 24, models a dress at Deja Vu in Alexandria, Va. Bermudez is competing for the title of Miss District of Columbia USA, and says she regularly enters beauty pageants. Coburn Dukehart/NPR Jessica Bermudez, 24, models a dress at Deja Vu in Alexandria, Va. Bermudez is competing for the title of
Internet and telephone service were restored across much of Syria on Saturday following a two-day, nationwide communications blackout that came during some of the worst fighting to hit the capital since July. Experts say the shutdown was likely caused by President Bashar Assad’s regime, raising fears that the government is taking increasingly bold measures to
The news that someone has shut off the Internet (and cellphone service) across Syria has led Anonymous to vow it will “shut down Syrian government websites around the world,” as Reuters’ Anthony DeRosa puts it. SecurityWeek’s Steve Ragan writes that: “When the public first learned of the Internet blackout in Syria, the Syrian Minister of
Drama ensues when doctors work to save patients bleeding from traumatic injuries. Click on image for the whole saga. Ian Roberts When it comes to public health, there are bad ideas that seemingly can’t be stopped and smart ones that don’t get their due. Often, the real trick to improving health is getting both patients
Enlarge Jacquelyn Martin for NPR Angel Salvatory, 17, buys cloth at a market in Kabanga village in Tanzania. Albinos living in a nearby protection center are allowed to go to the local market as long as they travel in a group for their own safety. Jacquelyn Martin for NPR Angel Salvatory, 17, buys cloth at
Enlarge image Spinach has lots of opportunities to pick up E. coli and other bugs during harvest and growing. Here, a Mexican migrant worker cuts organic spinach during the fall harvest at Grant Family Farms in Wellington, Co. John Moore/Getty Images Spinach has lots of opportunities to pick up E. coli and other bugs during
Enlarge image Better than expected: Economic growth was higher in the third quarter than first thought. Here, a worker at a Ford plant in Michigan plugs a batter into a Ford C-MAX plug-in hybrid vehicle. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images Better than expected: Economic growth was higher in the third quarter than first thought. Here, a worker
Enlarge image Britain’s tabloids ruined many lives, a judge concludes. Now, he’s recommending more oversight. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Britain’s tabloids ruined many lives, a judge concludes. Now, he’s recommending more oversight. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Saying that the British news media have “caused real hardship and, on occasion, wreaked havoc with the lives of innocent people
Twin car bombs ripped through a Damascus suburb on Wednesday, killing at least 34 people and leaving dozens critically wounded, according to state media and hospital officials. The state news agency, SANA, said two cars packed with explosives detonated early in the morning in the eastern Jaramana suburb, a district that is mostly loyal to
Enlarge image This protester in Cairo’s Tahrir Square last night had a message for Egypt’s president. Khalil Hamra/AP This protester in Cairo’s Tahrir Square last night had a message for Egypt’s president. Khalil Hamra/AP Police have fired tear gas again in Cairo’s Tahrir Square as authorities try to disperse several hundred protesters who are angry
NPR Shanghai correspondent Frank Langfitt sends in an update on one of this week’s more amusing stories: China’s Web surfers have had a lot to say about how People’s Daily Online — the Communist Party’s mouthpiece — got fooled into republishing a “story” by The Onion that declared North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is