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Steve Inskeep talks to News Analyst Cokie Roberts about President Bush's response to the earthquake in Southeast Asia and the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court.

Most of Hurricane Katrina's vital statistics are well known: 1,000 people dead, a million displaced. Hundreds of thousands of homes damaged. And in Louisiana alone, 55 million cubic yards of debris... enough to fill the Superdome 11 times.

In October 2003, Mark Etherington became governor of the Shiite-majority Wasit Province in Iraq. Six months later, Etherington, isolated from the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad, was forced to flee his headquarters in al-Kut, the province's capital. His new book is Revolt on the Tigris.

Iran resumes operations at a key nuclear plant, ending two years of inactivity. The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said Iran intended to undertake work on uranium enrichment, which could produce fuel for nuclear weapons. The move sparked sharp criticism from the United States and Europe.

Israeli soldiers storm two synagogues occupied by protesters as Israel continues with its pullout of settlers from Gaza. Overall, Israeli authorities say, the withdrawal is proceeding ahead of schedule.

Poet and funeral director Thomas Lynch has been thinking a lot these past couple of weeks about New Orleans and how the dead are precious to those who survive them. In response to the Katrina disaster, he wrote a new poem, "Local Heroes," first published on NPR.org.

Alex Chadwick talks with Slate legal analyst Dahlia Lithwick about the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Chief Justice nominee John Roberts. Lithwick analyzes Roberts' remarks about the right to privacy, abortion law and the balance of power between the courts and Congress.

Susan Kelz Sperling, author of Poplollies and Bellibones: A Celebration of Lost Words, talks about words that have been lost from the English language.

The U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, is a familiar face to many Iraqis -- some say too familiar. As the constitution is being drafted, there are concerns among Iraqis that Khalilzad's omnipresence is a sign of excessive U.S. influence.

Two amateur paleontologists kept their eyes to the ground in Oregon on one of their recent hikes and discovered what are believed to be the first remains of a marine reptile called the plesiosaur to be unearthed in the Pacific Northwest.

The governors of New Mexico and Arizona have declared a state of emergency in regions along the border with Mexico, prompted by what they say are the high costs and violence associated with illegal border crossings. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and guests discuss border violence and illegal immigration.

On the Senate Judiciary Committee's second day of hearings on the nomination of John Roberts for U.S. chief justice, Sen. Arlen Specter questioned Roberts on the issue of abortion rights.

We offer a tribute to Negro League baseball veteran Ted Radcliffe, who died recently at age 103. He earned his nickname by playing well in multiple positions on various teams.

Many songs heard at Christmastime are so well known, they merely become background noise. To counteract that trend, Christmas at the World Cafe presents soulful roots music inspired by the holiday.

Mohamed ElBaradei and the International Atomic Energy Agency that he leads win the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Elbaradei was cited for addressing "one of the greatest dangers facing the world."

Even as a child, Benjamin Carson wanted to be a doctor. Now a renowned pediatric neurosurgeon, Carson believes he owes his success to his mother, a domestic who received only a third-grade education.

Hunter S. Thompson will be memorialized in an extravagant festival in his hometown of Woody Creek, Col., on Saturday. Family and friends plan a spectacular sendoff for the gonzo journalist, who committed suicide in February.

A year ago, people who predicted that Iraq was headed toward a Shia-Sunni civil war were scoffed at by supporters of the U.S.-led invasion. But sectarian strife appears to be on the rise in Baghdad.

After two years of isolation and uncertainty, many American teens are struggling with mental health problems. But they're also discovering themselves — and their own resilience.

Along the streets of New Orleans and in front yards and driveways are refrigerators -- lots of them. And people in the city are trying to figure out how to get rid of them.

In New Orleans' sprawling City Park, the Old Woman in a Shoe and other childhood characters await Storyland's reopening after Hurricane Katrina. But first, park officials are working on restoring the botanical gardens, a popular wedding venue.

One fact that isn't in dispute about the indictments against former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on conspiracy charges: The Texas Republican and his fundraising machine changed the face of Texas politics. Trouble is, he may have broken the law in the process.

Texas troubadour Jimmie Dale Gilmore's Come On Back is a musical tribute to his father, who was a talented amateur guitarist. Gilmore tells Debbie Elliott about a CD that has been nominated for a Grammy.

Actor Jeffrey Wright tells Ed Gordon about his role in the new film Syriana. Shot by the writer of Traffic, the movie explores many facets of U.S. reliance on oil resources from the Middle East and the greed, violence and corruption that result.

Iraqis go to the polls Thursday to elect a national parliament. They'll choose from a long list of candidates from a wide variety of parties. Guests take a look at the leading candidates, the key issues facing the country and the divisions among the Sunnis, Shia and Kurds.