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Friday

Planet Money

Spain Could Spoil Global Economic Recovery

As the year ends, there are small signs that the economy is mending. But one country could change that: Spain. Economists and European leaders are worried that debt problems in Spain could have major implications for the entire global financial system.

Spain Could Spoil Global Economic Recovery

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Thursday

Portugal's New Poor Struggle In Europe's Debt Crisis

Go to France, Britain, Ireland or Portugal -- you'll find the same sentiment on the streets of all these debt-ridden European nations: Europe's financial crisis was caused by rich and greedy bankers and politicians, yet it's the poor who're picking up the tab -- people like Mariana Silva. Silva is paid 400 euros for the 40 hours she slogs away each week in a kitchen in a poor neighborhood of Lisbon. Tax hikes and public spending cuts have driven her over the edge. She and her two kids are being kicked out of their home after defaulting on the mortgage. The power and the water have been cut off. For food, she relies on the help of the local priest and concerned members of the public.

Portugal's New Poor Struggle In Europe's Debt Crisis

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Tuesday

For Young Swiss Rebels, A Dark Chapter In History

Ursula Biondi holds her infant son (both dressed in prison clothes) in this undated photo. Biondi was among thousands of Swiss teenagers and young adults who were sent to prison or labor camps without trial. After decades of silence, they are now speaking out. Courtesy Ursula Biondi hide caption

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Courtesy Ursula Biondi

For Young Swiss Rebels, A Dark Chapter In History

Until the 1980s, thousands of rebellious Swiss youths were locked up without trial. Officials called it "administrative detention." But in reality, the kids were put in prison or labor camps. Now, many victims are demanding accountability and compensation for damaged lives.

For Young Swiss Rebels, A Dark Chapter In History

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Jailed Russian Tycoon Found Guilty Of More Crimes

Imprisoned former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky was convicted on embezzlement and money laundering charges in Russia Monday. Khodorkovsky was once the richest man in Russia, and was nearing the end of an eight-year sentence for tax evasion. Susan Glasser, editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy magazine, talks with Renee Montagne about the case.

Jailed Russian Tycoon Found Guilty Of More Crimes

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The Mystery Of The Mexican Suitcase: A Trove Of Unseen Photos
International Center of Photography

The Picture Show

The Mystery Of The Mexican Suitcase: A Trove Of Unseen Photos

This is the story of three yellowing boxes of old negatives that were lost to the world for more than half a century.

The Mystery Of The Mexican Suitcase: A Trove Of Unseen Photos

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Saturday

A Market Pulses At Paris' Gastronomic Heart

Salesmen work in the poultry pavilion at Rungis International Food Market near Paris. The sprawling market, bigger than the principality of Monaco, has been bringing the freshest, highest-quality ingredients to Parisians since 1011. Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images

A Market Pulses At Paris' Gastronomic Heart

For nine centuries, Paris' Rungis food market -- the largest in the world -- has brought food to Parisians from the countryside and now from the whole world. The sprawling market offers high-quality items that are freshly harvested, plucked, shot or slaughtered -- often the same day.

A Market Pulses At Paris' Gastronomic Heart

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Friday

As Germany Ends Draft, Fears Of A Labor Shortage

A young man fulfilling his alternative civilian service, instead of compulsory military service, attends a patient last year in a hospital in Stuttgart, Germany. The German government has announced plans to scrap compulsory military service and optional community service, a decision that has left German social service agencies scrambling to fill an anticipated labor shortfall. Thomas Kienzle/AP hide caption

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Thomas Kienzle/AP

As Germany Ends Draft, Fears Of A Labor Shortage

Germany's government has announced plans to scrap compulsory military service and optional community service. That's left many social service agencies deeply worried. They rely on the 90,000 conscripts who opt for the alternative community service.

As Germany Ends Draft, Fears Of A Labor Shortage

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Thursday

Anarchists Suspected In Embassy Blasts In Rome

Two bomb explosions at embassies in Rome have started a security alert in the Italian capital. Employees of the Swiss and Chilean embassies were injured, one seriously, after opening packages Thursday. No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, although the incidents are similar to attacks and attempted bombings of embassies in Greece last month.

Anarchists Suspected In Embassy Blasts In Rome

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Police Pursue 'Anarchists' In Rome Embassy Blasts

Italian carabinieri and firemen leave the Swiss Embassy in Rome on Thursday after a parcel bomb exploded. Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images

Police Pursue 'Anarchists' In Rome Embassy Blasts

Packages blew up at the Chilean and Swiss embassies, wounding at least two people. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the incidents. The blasts come amid growing concerns in Europe over possible holiday season terrorist attacks.

Tuesday

Europe's White Christmas Proving Frightful

A passenger sleeps on the floor as she waits for a flight from Terminal 3 at Heathrow airport Tuesday in London. Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images hide caption

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Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Europe's White Christmas Proving Frightful

The worst winter weather in decades continued to hold the Continent in its grip, freezing road and rail traffic and stranding thousands of outraged holiday travelers at Europe's major airports for a fourth day. In Britain, the government offered troops to help ease airport gridlock.

Fresh Snow Contributes To European Travel Delays

Much of Europe is in a deep freeze. Fresh snowfall in Germany has forced the closure of the country's biggest airport at Frankfort. And in Great Britain, travelers are stranded by the thousands as air and train travel has come to a standstill.

Fresh Snow Contributes To European Travel Delays

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Monday

'Havoc' Continues In Europe As Snow Snarls Travel

Passengers wait for flights in the check-in area of London's Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport on Dec. 20, 2010. Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images hide caption

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Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

The Two-Way

'Havoc' Continues In Europe As Snow Snarls Travel

Some "travelers" (a word that doesn't quite apply) are about to spend a third night camped out in London's Heathrow airport because brutal winter weather across much of Europe continues to disrupt air travel.

Philip Reeves on the harsh weather in Europe

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