Chileans weigh a new constitution
NPR's Scott Simon talks with Chilean journalist Francisca Skoknic about the upcoming vote to approve or reject a new constitution for the South American country.
Democrats Dig In Their Heels On Entitlement Cuts
Republicans are insisting on more austere entitlement programs as leaders negotiate a deal to keep the nation from going over the "fiscal cliff" in the new year. But many Democrats are wary of including any far-reaching and long-lasting entitlement reforms in a hastily thrown-together deal.
Small Town Tries To Cope With Unimaginable Tragedy
Newtown, Conn., is the kind of place where the biggest thing that happens is the Labor Day parade. Now, that peace has been shattered and residents are trying to make sense of what happened after a gunman opened fire in an elementary school, killing at least 20 children and six adults.
Young Gazans Brave Fear To Welcome Hamas Leader
In many countries, the very young have zero interest in politics. After decades of conflict, however, Gaza is an intensely political place and its young people were out in force to give Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal a hero's welcome — even though many are still suffering the effects of the recent eight-day missile offensive.
Tensions Continue Over Egypt's Constitution Fight
Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon speaks with Egyptian journalist Sara Khorshid about the latest protests and negotiations over the constitution in Cairo.
'Hey Bird, What Are You Doing With That Butt?'
Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon notes that a new study finds that in addition to twigs and branches, birds are also using cigarette butts to build their nests — and they are actually proving to be helpful.
Unemployment Rate Drops, But Picture Not All Rosy
Superstorm Sandy didn't do as much damage as was expected to the nation's employment situation, at least that's what the government's monthly data on the jobs market told us yesterday when it showed the nation's unemployment rate drop to 7.7 percent. Analysts and businesses, however, are already looking past that report to the dangers to jobs from the fiscal cliff.
What's In Store For Mexico And Its New President?
Weekend Edition host Scott Simon speaks with Jorge Castaneda, an author and commentator who served as Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs from 2000 to 2003, about incoming president Enrique Pena Nieto.