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Sports

Golf's Storied St. Andrews Old Course Gets Facelift

Scotland's St. Andrews is sacred ground for golfers, often referred to as the "birthplace of golf." Renee Montagne and David Greene tell us about a major announcement — the first changes to the club's "Old Course" in about 70 years. The goal is to make it more challenging before the next British Open at St. Andrews in 2015.

Golf's Storied St. Andrews Old Course Gets Facelift

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Thursday

Pencils Down? French Plan Would End Homework

President Francois Hollande argues that homework puts poor children at a disadvantage, but others argue the extra work is needed to help those students succeed. Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images

Education

Pencils Down? French Plan Would End Homework

President Francois Hollande says the extra work penalizes students with difficult home situations, proposing doing away with homework in elementary and junior high schools. But others argue the individual work is exactly what those students need to succeed.

Pencils Down? French Plan Would End Homework

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Media

U.K. Judge: British Press Needs Powerful Watchdog

An eight month investigation into phone hacking and other abuses by British newspapers has concluded that the industry needs a powerful new watchdog with some legal powers to wield carrots and sticks. Judge Brian Leveson, who led the inquiry, says the watchdog would be independent and insists that it "cannot reasonably or fairly be be characterized as statutory regulation of the press." But Prime Minister David Cameron, who commissioned the investigation, voiced doubts about that, saying "I think it would be a dereliction of our duty in this House of Commons that has stood up for freedom and for free press year after year, century after century, to cross a Rubicon of legislating about the press without thinking about it very carefully, first." Cameron's stance angered victims of tabloid hacking. Said one "I think he's gone back on his word and I feel betrayed."

U.K. Judge: British Press Needs Powerful Watchdog

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World

Obama's Foreign Policy, Take Two

As President Barack Obama prepares to enter a second term, he faces a host of foreign policy issues. Syria presents an immediate crisis, China poses a strategic challenge and tensions with Iran continue to escalate.

Obama's Foreign Policy, Take Two

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Africa

Message Behind African Heaters For Norway Spoof

An online video, urging Africans to save Norwegians from frostbite, has gone viral. The tongue-in-cheek spoof features South Africans singing about sending radiators to Norway. The filmmakers hope to take on stereotypes of Africa that are reinforced by charities and the media. Host Michel Martin speaks to Erik Evans, one of the video's creators.

Message Behind African Heaters For Norway Spoof

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U.K. Inquiry: News Media 'Wreaked Havoc,' New Watchdog Needed

Britain's tabloids ruined many lives, a judge concludes. Now, he's recommending more oversight. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images hide caption

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The Two-Way

U.K. Inquiry: News Media 'Wreaked Havoc,' New Watchdog Needed

After a scandal involving the hacking of cellphones and the paying of bribes for information, a judge was asked to sort out the mess and offer recommendations. Now, he's calling for an independent panel that would promote high standards and protect individuals' rights.

Media

Report Proposes Tougher Oversight For British Press

On Thursday, Lord Justice Leveson released his report on regulating the British press, following phone hacking and other abuses by the tabloids. For more details on what's in the report, David Greene speaks to reporter Vicki Barker in London.

Report Proposes Tougher Oversight For British Press

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Remains Thought To Be King Richard III

Renee Montagne speaks with Member of Parliament Chris Skidmore of Bristol about what are likely the recently discovered remains of Richard III, and attempts to clear the ruthless reputation of the former English king.

Remains Thought To Be King Richard III

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Judge's Report Due On Regulating British Press

On Thursday, Lord Justice Leveson is expected to release his report on regulating the British press, following phone hacking and other abuses by the tabloids. The report, and Prime Minister David Cameron's response to it, will likely be controversial.

Judge's Report Due On Regulating British Press

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Wednesday

Milk: Symbol Of Purity, Symbol Of Conflict

European dairy farmers spray police officers with milk during a demonstration outside the European Parliament in Brussels on Monday. Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP hide caption

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Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP

The Salt

Milk: Symbol Of Purity, Symbol Of Conflict

Our complicated relationship with milk may make images of this week's EU dairy farmers' protest more powerful than, say, if they sprayed police with water. For much of human history, says historian Deborah Valenze, we've wavered between reverence and revulsion for the stuff.

In Russia, Pro-Putin Youths Protest Mormons As 'Cult'

Activists from the Young Guard, which supports Russian President Vladimir Putin, have been protesting the Mormon church in Russia, calling it a "totalitarian cult." Konstantin Zavrazhin/Getty Images hide caption

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Konstantin Zavrazhin/Getty Images

World

In Russia, Pro-Putin Youths Protest Mormons As 'Cult'

Russia's Young Guard has demonstrated outside Mormon meeting halls in Moscow. Members claim the Mormon church is a totalitarian cult that believes in multiple gods and has ties to the CIA and FBI.

In Russia, Pro-Putin Youths Protest Mormons As 'Cult'

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Tuesday

For Cyprus' North And South, A Reversal Of Fortunes

Fikri Toros, a Turkish Cypriot businessman, says his family's company struggled for years because of embargoes and a weak Turkish lira. But its fortunes have improved with Turkey's economy. Joanna Kakissis/NPR hide caption

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Joanna Kakissis/NPR

For Cyprus' North And South, A Reversal Of Fortunes

For decades, the Turkish-occupied north lagged far behind the independent nation to the south, with its strong ties to Greece. Now, it's the Turks in northern Cyprus who have the roaring economy, as Greek Cypriots await the terms of an EU bailout.

For Cyprus' North And South, A Reversal Of Fortunes

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Deal Reached On Greek Debt, Markets Rise In Relief

Nov. 7: A protester wrapped in a Greek flag stands in front of the parliament in Athens. Today's agreement may not bring an end to anti-austerity protests in Greece. Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Deal Reached On Greek Debt, Markets Rise In Relief

Leaders agreed on a plan to release some loan payments that Greece desperately needs, and to take steps that should help reduce that nation's debt.

Teri Schultz reporting on the deal for the NPR Newscast

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Britain's Central Bank Picks Canadian As New Chief

The new head of the Bank of England is a Canadian — Mark Carney, currently Canada's central bank chief. It's the first time Britain has chosen a noncitizen to lead its central bank.

Britain's Central Bank Picks Canadian As New Chief

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Monday

Spain Expands Renewables With Wave-Powered Electricity Plant

Residents of Mutriku, a fishing village on Spain's northern coast, lounge at their local beach, protected from fierce Atlantic waves by a cement breakwater that also houses Europe's first wave energy plant. Lauren Frayer for NPR hide caption

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Lauren Frayer for NPR

All Tech Considered

Spain Expands Renewables With Wave-Powered Electricity Plant

The Bay of Biscay, off Spain's northern coast, is notorious for its huge surf, which has claimed countless lives in shipwrecks over the centuries. Now Spanish engineers have found a way to harness the power of those big waves to produce electricity.

Spain Expands Renewables With Wave-Powered Electricity Plant

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