Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'country'

German Left Courts the Working Class

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:01:00 EDT

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.

Underinsured Struggle To Afford Health Care

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Across the country, state health care programs are cutting back on funding for families with disabled children. The result is that more families struggle to get the health care they need for their children with disabilities and serious health care needs.

Plugging Afghanistan's Brain Drain

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:36:00 EST

Ahmad, director of field operations for a telecom company, returned to the region because he "owed it" to his home country. He's hoping a return of professionals like him can improve the country's diminished infrastructure.

Governors Tackle Climate Change

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is hosting an international climate change summit in Beverly Hills this week. He's partnered with governors from across the country to discuss how cutting emissions can help the economy. We also talk to Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who recently vetoed the expansion of coal plants in her state.

Sources: Holder Tapped For Attorney General

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:02:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama has decided to nominate Eric Holder as attorney general, according to a source close to the Obama-Biden transition team. If confirmed, Holder would be the country's first African-American to lead the Justice Department.

Views Of The Auto Industry Bailout Debate

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

As CEOs from the Big Three U.S. automakers addressed lawmakers on Capitol Hill Tuesday, people from around the country shared their opinion of the U.S. auto industry and whether the government should bail it out.

Country Music Finds New Star In Darius Rucker

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:14:00 EST

Darius Rucker is country music's shining new star. The former frontman for the 1990s pop group Hootie & the Blowfish has become the first black artist to have a top 10 country music hit since Charley Pride. He talks with Farai Chideya and performs three of his new songs.

Can Power Be Effectively Shared In Congo...

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

U.N. negotiators are trying to bring about a power-sharing arrangement in Congo involving support from neighboring countries. Madeleine Brand talks to New York Times reporter Jeffrey Gettleman about the deteriorating situation in the African country.

Burmese Refugees Preserve Culture Through Music

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

After coming to the U.S., Burmese refugees try to preserve their culture and music with traditional instruments and dance. Most of these musicians have not seen their homeland in 20 years and the younger ones were born in the camps, citizens of no country.

The Maldives: Country-Rock's Big Band

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:24:00 EST

Along with Fleet Foxes and the Moondoggies, The Maldives' members belong to a thriving Seattle roots-music scene. With nine people in its lineup, it's one of the area's biggest bands in more ways than one. The Maldives recently crammed into KEXP's studios to preview new material.

Patty Loveless On Mountain Stage

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:49:00 EST

Loveless has built a 20-year career by choosing great songs to complement her charming twang. On her fourth visit to Mountain Stage, she performs music from her latest release, for which she dipped into the classic country songbook and recorded some of the genre's most enduring and endearing songs.

Nation's Oldest Existing Bike Maker Keeps On Rolling

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 09:14:00 EST

Worksman Cycles in Queens, N.Y., is the oldest existing maker of industrial bicycles, tricycles and vender carts in the country. Worksman makes everything from pizza delivery bikes to carts and tricycles for use at companies such as Boeing and General Motors.

What Cyber War Could Mean For The U.S.

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

When fighting broke out between Georgia and Russia this summer, the war was waged in both the online and physical world. Attacks on Georgian Web sites basically shut down the country's Internet operations. Now U.S. Sec. of Defense Robert Gates wonders what cyber warfare could mean at home.

Obamas' Place In History, Fashion Sense Ignite Blogosphere

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

Just a little over a week ago, voters elected Democratic Sen. Barack Obama as the country's next president. In this week's BackTalk, hear more perspectives about Obama's win. Also, find out how a recent segment on Michelle Obama's sense of style has some voters playing fashion police. Also, listeners weigh in on the gay marriage debate brewing in California.

Postcard From Kabul Tells Of Fear And Hope

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

Writer Gayle Tzemach is in Kabul researching a book on women entrepreneurs. Gayle offers an audio postcard describing people's fears and hopes in the city. She says Afghans are particularly anxious to know if Barack Obama is serious about focusing on their country.

How Will The Election Affect U.S. Race Relations...

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:10:00 EST

As election results were announced on the evening of Nov. 4, people flooded streets across the country, celebrating the election of America's first black president. Now that the initial excitement has died down, guests and callers discuss the realities of racism in America — and what has and hasn't changed.

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.

Volunteers Distribute Spoof Of Gray Lady

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:40:00 EST

People who complain the news is too negative got a break Wednesday. Volunteers across the country handed out more than a million copies of a paper that looked a lot like The New York Times. The front page proclaimed: Iraq War Ends! Articles said global warming was fixed and public universities would be free. The people behind the stunt include three New York Times staffers. They will remain anonymous so they don't get fired for spoofing the Gray Lady.

Plant Closures Create Kosher Meat Shortage

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

In some areas of the country, there's a shortage of kosher meat. One of the largest kosher meat companies has shut down its beef slaughtering facility. A plant owned by Agriprocessors Inc. in Iowa was raided earlier this year by federal immigration authorities. Adriene Hill reports for Chicago Public Radio.

High Court Hears Case On Religious Monument

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:58:00 EST

The Supreme Court has heard a case testing whether any religious group has the right to erect a monument in a public space if there is already another one. Federal appeals courts around the country have ruled in different ways in a variety of cases.

Love It Or Hate It: The Fashion Sense Of Michelle Obama

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:41:00 EST

Politicians aren't known for their cutting-edge fashion sense and most First Ladies have leaned more towards traditional, conservative styles. But future First Lady Michelle Obama might just be an exception to the usual blandness of Washington fashion. Whether you love or hate her style, she's certainly making waves. Washington Post fashion writer Robin Givhan, hairstylist Anthony Dickey, and historian Catherine Allgor explore the style sense of the country's next leading lady.

Undecided Races And Palin's Post-Game

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST

In this week's edition of the Political Junkie, NPR's Ken Rudin talks about still-undecided races around the country and John McCain's plans to campaign for Sen. Saxby Chambliss in Georgia. Also: Guests and listeners discuss Sarah Palin's post-election moment in the media spotlight.

Supreme Court Hears Religious Display Case

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

The Supreme Court hears a case Wednesday testing whether any religious group has the right to erect a monument in a public space — if there is already another one there, such as a Ten Commandments monument. Federal appeals courts across the country have ruled in different ways in a variety of cases.

Beefer Madness

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

In "Eat Local country," food writer T. Susan Chang says, neighbors get together to buy "beefers" — whole steers — from a nearby farm. Her share — some fresh ground beef, steaks, tongue and even a heart — provided for a year of memorable eating.

South African Singer Makeba Dies

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:38:00 EST

Miriam Makeba, whose voice gave South Africans hope when the country was gripped by apartheid, has died of a heart attack after collapsing on stage in Italy. She was 76.