Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'americans'

Fight Breaks Out As Iraqi Lawmakers Debate Pact

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:03:00 EST

Tempers flared in Iraq's Parliament hall Wednesday as lawmakers debated whether to ratify a new security agreement with the United States — one that calls for the withdrawal of American forces by the end of 2011.

Toyota Cuts North American Production

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

The world's biggest automaker says it will stop production at all U.S. and Canadian factories for two days next month. Toyota's assembly, transmission and engine plants will close in late December as the company tries to work through excess inventory. The Japanese carmaker is in much better financial shape than its U.S. rivals, but sales of Toyota's vehicles also are plunging.

Tis Not The Season For Retail Jobs

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

The poor outlook for the holiday shopping season is forcing retailers to slash seasonal jobs. L.L. Bean is filling 23 percent fewer positions this year. The nationwide squeeze on holiday work comes just as more Americans say they will look for second jobs because of the uncertain economy. Curt Nickisch reports for member station WBUR.

Big Tobacco Seeks Safer Cigarettes

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:01:00 EST

While there is still a market for cigarettes — nearly 1 in 5 American adults smokes — that number has been steadily decreasing. So tobacco companies are investing in technology and research that could create a safer cigarette.

'Outliers' Puts Self-Made Success To The Test

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Why do Asian kids outperform American kids in math? How did Bill Gates become a billionaire computer entrepreneur? Malcolm Gladwell takes on these questions and more in his book Outliers. He argues that the "self-made man" is a myth.

Study Suggests Buying Toxic Assets Could Work

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:09:00 EST

Purchasing toxic assets from banks is still the fairest way to save the American economy, say two University of Maryland economics professors. To prove it, they had a group of graduate students take part in what's known as a reverse auction.

Big Three Automakers Take Their Case To Capitol Hill

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

The Big Three U.S. automakers — General Motors, Ford and Chrysler — will appear today before lawmakers on Capitol Hill to ask for federal funds to curb to decline of the auto industry. Warren Brown, of the Washington Post; John Schmitt, of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington and Mary Chapman, of African Americans on Wheels magazine discuss the automotive crisis and how consumers should be prepared to respond.

Cobbler Has Sole During Recessionary Times

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

As Americans trim their budgets, some businesses are ready for thrifty activity. In St. Louis, a shoe repair shop has seen business skyrocket as the economy prompts more customers to have shoes fixed instead of buying new ones. Jeff Lipson of Cobblestone Shoe Repair is a third generation cobbler, and he's seeing a new type of customer. Adam Allington of member station KWMU reports.

China Dusts Off, Restores Emperor's Hideaway

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:07:00 EST

American experts are at work in Beijing's Forbidden City, helping preserve a long-neglected treasure: the elaborate private retreat of the 18th-century Chinese emperor Qianlong.

'Big Three' U.S. Automakers: Bailout Or Bankruptcy...

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:42:00 EST

Congress is considering a $25 billion bailout for Detroit's Big Three automakers. GM shares have fallen nearly 90 percent in the last year, and Ford and Chrysler are also struggling. Some Americans say the mismanaged automakers shouldn't get a bailout.

Obama's Debt To The 'Moses Generation'

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:41:00 EST

David Remnick, editor-in-chief of The New Yorker, discusses Obama's debt to the "Moses generation" of American civil rights leaders — activists who made it possible for Obama to lead his own "Joshua generation."

U.S. Troops In Iraq Until 2012

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Iraq's parliament could vote as early as this week on a security pact with the United States that would allow American forces to remain for three more years. The Iraqi Cabinet overwhelmingly approved the deal Sunday.

Americans Mixed On Bailout For Automakers

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Democrats in Congress are pushing this week for a bailout of Detroit's Big Three automakers, but there are signs they may not have enough votes. Some Americans blame the companies for their own problems. Others warn that a bankruptcy would only deepen the current recession.

U.S. Shows Star Foreigners With American Accents

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Brits, Aussies and an Irishman star as Americans in a number of U.S. TV show like "House," "The Mentalist" and "Without a Trace." Each network has a show with a non-American star playing American. What's their appeal?

American Films Dubbed For European Audiences

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

U.S. box office numbers are what make the headlines in the U.S., but what makes a lot of the cash is overseas sales. And in much of Europe, that means American films dubbed into the native language. Susan Stone visits a German studio that's dubbing the new James Bond movie.

Military's First Female Four-Star General

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:30:00 EST

The Army now has the first woman four-star general in the history of the American armed forces. Gen. Ann Dunwoody grew up in an Army family — her father served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Now, his daughter will lead the Army Materiel Command.

Troop Withdrawal Plans Approved; Vote Next

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:53:00 EST

After nearly a year of hard-bargaining with U.S. negotiators, the Iraqi government voted to approve a draft agreement for the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq within the next three years.

Jonatha Brooke: Rediscovering Woody Guthrie

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:10:00 EST

Guthrie has had a profound influence on American music, and he was such a prolific writer that some of his lyrics have yet to be set to music. Having been given access to the Guthrie archives, singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke recently released The Works, which adapts previously unreleased Guthrie lyrics.

Iranians Express Hope In Obama

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Iranians are big TV watchers, and they've been watching coverage of the American presidential election. Voice of America says calls and e-mails have been pouring in to their Persian News Network service in support of President-elect Obama.

How A-Bomb Testing Changed Our Trees

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 13:54:00 EST

British, American, Russian and French nuclear bomb tests in the 1950s and '60s left permanent records in trees around the globe. Scientists have found chemical signatures of the explosions in the wood of old trees in many countries.

Church Preaches The Music Of Beethoven

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 06:03:00 EST

Albuquerque, N.M., is no different from any other American city, in terms of its religious life. But an abandoned gas station along old Route 66 serves as the unlikely home for another kind of Sunday-morning service. The Church of Beethoven is an offbeat venue that mixes religion and classical music.

Black, Gay Communities Collide Over Gay Marriage

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:12:00 EST

The controversy over California's gay marriage ban, known as Prop 8, has spilled into the streets. In some places, the fight for gay rights has turned into an public indictment of African-Americans who voted in favor of the ban. Farai Chideya moderates a conversation about race and sexual identity, the proposition's impact on American politics, and the future of coalition building between blacks and gays.

Asking Not What Their Country Can Do For Them

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:35:00 EST

A suggestion that Americans should look for their own ways to help their country, rather than wait for Barack Obama to ask, elicited many reactions from readers. "Call it idealistic crap if you want, but people want to be involved," one wrote. "We are not 'consumers' of democracy — we are the democracy," said another.

Slump Leads More Firms To Halt 401(K) Matching

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:25:00 EST

As the stock market has dropped, millions of Americans are afraid to look at their 401(k) accounts. At a small but growing number of companies — including GM — the news is worse: They're suspending the matching benefits, where employers chip in to match workers' contributions.

Janis Ian: Behind Her Songs And Life

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:03:00 EST

By the time she was 16, Janis Ian already had a Grammy and a permanent place in the American consciousness. Her new autobiography shares the sometimes shocking stories behind her life and music. In a session from Folk Alley, she performs a cross section of her songs.