July 23, 2008 
Terrorism and Security, International , Middle East
In first Guantanamo trial, the two sides paint two portraits of Salim Hamdan
The first American war crimes tribunal since World War II is taking place in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. On trial is Osama bin Laden's driver, Salim Ahmed Hamdan. Defense lawyers say the poor Yemeni took the job only for its $200-a-month salary, but prosecutors say Hamdan was a willing recruit, aiding al-Qaida in its militancy efforts.
North America, Real Estate, Business and Economy , Congress and Lawmakers, Politics
The House’s hopeful plan for the housing crisis
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Leo Duran
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are scheduled to take up a proposed bailout of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It’s a bill that has President Bush and congressional Democrats seeing eye-to-eye.
North America, Health , Life Science, Science
Thinking outside the embryo
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Chelsea Merz
Since 2001, when a federal funding freeze crippled research into the use of human embryonic stem cells to treat a host of congenital and degenerative conditions, molecular biologists have searched for a viable alternative. Now, they may have found a way. By reprogramming adult skin cells, researchers have produced stem cells that bypass the political and ethical stumbling blocks. But all is not perfect. In recent studies, the cells produced tumors in mice.
Asia, North America, National , Education
Business schools take palm reading to a new level
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Chelsea Merz
The future Donald Trumps of the world will soon need the help of a palm reader to ascend the corporate ladder. In an effort to finger cheats, aspiring CEOs will be screened by a high-tech identity device, known as a “palm vein” scan, before taking the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) as early as this fall.
Society, Europe, Politics , Vote 2008, History
Barack Obama evokes JFK in Berlin stop on mid-campaign world tour
By John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji
North America, Business and Economy , Congress and Lawmakers, Politics , Personal Finance and Investing
The college credit-card crunch
By John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji
As credit card companies continue to descend upon college campuses, Congress is threatening to make it more difficult for students to qualify for credit. But is Congress protecting students from debt or is it infringing on students’ rights?
International , Europe, Terrorism and Security, International Organizations
An update on the capture of Bosnian Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadzic
By John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji
Guest: Stephen Erlanger, The New York Times
North America, Congress and Lawmakers, The White House, Politics , Environment, Science , Climate Change
Former EPA official says White House overstepped bounds on climate regulation
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Chelsea Merz
Jason Burnett, a former Environmental Protection Agency official, told the Senate's Environment and Public Works committee that the White House pressured the EPA in 2007 to deny climate regulation that would have required a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from cars in California. Burnett's testimony contradicts earlier statements from EPA chief Stephen Johnson, who said the denial was solely his decision.
North America, Television, Business and Economy , Culture, Arts and Entertainment , Oil, Natural Resources, Science
Documentary filmmaker tracks an oil boom in North Dakota
By John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji
Guest: Caitlin McNally, documentary filmmaker
Engineering, North America, Technology, Science
Electric car makers and utilities companies plug in to new ideas and technology
By John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji
Guest: Mark Duvall, the program manager for The Electric Power Research Institute. He's in San Jose, Calif., for Plug-In 2008, a conference for advances in technology and policy for hybrid-electic vehicles.
Visual Art, Culture, Arts and Entertainment , Anniversaries and Celebrations
The X-Men reach a not-so-uncanny milestone: a 500th issue
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Leo Duran
The 500th issue of The Uncanny X-Men goes on sale this week, 45 years after Stan Lee and Jack Kirby debuted the mutants Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Beast and Iceman.
North America, Health , Disease, Life Science, Drugs, Science , Cancer
Abiraterone shows promise in prostate cancer fight, Dimebon for Alzheimer’s
By John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji
A 21-patient study has shown that the drug abiraterone can stop the testosterone that feeds prostate cancer. A larger international clinical trial is underway to test the drug before it can be deemed a "miracle drug." Also, Dimebon, once used as an antihistamine, has been found to improve cognitive abilities for Alzheimer’s patients, though researchers aren't yet sure how.
The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International,
in collaboration with The BBC World Service, New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
