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Three years ago, a U.S. presidential commission was formed to look at ways to help Cuba become a modern functioning democracy. Just three weeks ago, the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba released a report on ways to hasten the end of Fidel Castro's regime. Carlos Gutierrez, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, helped lead the panel.

The New Orleans Social Club, a loose affiliation of famed New Orleans musicians, are trying to restore a bit of the city's musical heritage with a new CD — and in the process, restore a piece of their own lives washed away by Hurricane Katrina.

The 30 member countries of the military alliance are expected to take up to two weeks to evaluate the applications.

The U.S. government announces that it is expanding efforts to test wild and domestic birds for the deadly Asian bird-flu virus. Experts say it is a matter of when, not if, the virus arrives in the United States. We visit two Maryland chicken farms to see how U.S. farmers are preparing for the threat.

Ehud Olmert, Israel's new prime minister, addresses the U.S. Congress, one day after meeting with President Bush. Olmert plans to lay out his vision for a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians. Mr. Bush called the plan "bold."

Evolution doesn't always happen on a million-year time scale. Sometimes it happens before our eyes. One example: tiny fish who slip through commercial nets are filling genetic pools with "runt" genes.

The new collective bargaining agreements will run through 2028 and will also include the "equalization" of World Cup prize money, the organization announced.

King Abdullah is inching toward reform in Saudi Arabia. He is allowing women to run for certain boards, and is holding the country's first-ever municipal elections. Many Saudis say they'd like to see more. But the process is slow.

Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic dies in his jail cell at The Hague, where he was on trial for war crimes. U.N. officials say Milosevic, who stirred bloody wars in the Balkans and was accused of ethnic cleansing, died of natural causes.

Medical schools and residency programs are under increasing pressure to turn out doctors who are good communicators and compassionate in their interactions with patients. It's a huge challenge, but one program is addressing the issue with monthly lunch for first-year doctors.

Bob Grenier was removed in February as head of the CIA's Counterterrorism Center. The rumor at the time was that Grenier was sacked for objecting to aggressive interrogation and rendition practices. But Grenier insists it was actually because of a personality clash.

NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with philosopher Eric Boynton about empathy and community grief as the U.S. nears a landmark death toll: one million people dying from COVID-19.

In 1966, unheralded Texas Western won the men's college basketball title, starting five black players against an all-white Kentucky squad. It was a vivid moment in the civil rights era. The team's story is told in the film Glory Road.

Former speaker of the state House Tina Kotek has prevailed over Treasurer Tobias Read. If elected in Nov., Kotek would be the first openly lesbian governor elected in the nation.

The Supreme Court has issued a major decision on legislative re-apportionment. Based on a Texas case, the court ruled that state legislatures may redraw congressional district lines when they see fit. Traditionally, legislatures have reworked districts every 10 years with the census. The ruling may set off a wave of attempts to redraw districts across the United States.

U.S. authorities say the release of a new audiotape from Osama bin Laden, threatening new attacks in the United States, will not prompt an increase in the terror-threat level. The al Qaeda leader also makes a vague reference to a truce offer on the tape, which Vice President Cheney and other officials dismissed.

Members of Congress are evaluating their options now that the Supreme Court has rejected the Bush administration's plan to try terror detainees in military tribunals. The court's ruling at the end of last month means that Congress must now decide whether to pass legislation authorizing such tribunals, or set up an alternative. Michele Norris talks with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The largest Sudanese immigrant population in the United States is now in Portland, Maine. About 2,000 people have arrived in the past 12 years, fleeing civil war and genocide in Sudan.

After the trauma of Hurricane Katrina and the forced evacuation of most of its black residents, New Orleans holds municipal elections. Mayor Ray Nagin will face a May runoff vote against Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu.

A recent study suggests a link between extreme low-calorie diets and longer life. But Slate medical columnist Dr. Sydney Spiesel says he has doubts about the restrictive diets and their effect on metabolism and health. In the long run, would you want to live longer if you knew you would feel hungry all the time?

President Bush temporarily suspends environmental rules on gasoline that have been blamed for a recent spike in gas prices. The change may make it easier for refiners to meet demand -- and possibly lower prices.

A California airplane hangar has been made into what might be the biggest camera ever imagined, ready to take the world's largest photo. Artist Rob Johnson and five colleagues came up with this challenge. He tells Liane Hansen how it will work.

Louisiana Secretary of State Al Ater talks about overseeing the election for the New Orleans mayor's office. Incumbent Mayor Ray Nagin and Lt Gov. Mitch Landrieu -- son of the city's last white mayor -- are in a run-off race after Saturday's preliminary election.

The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club is the oldest mostly-black krewe in New Orleans' Mardi Gras parade. They're at the head of the procession this year amid recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The decision to parade, say some members, was a difficult choice.

Russia says it will double its nuclear energy capabilities in the next 25 years. The Kremlin promises the country's nuclear industry is safe. But experts argue that it is alarmingly dangerous and on the verge of collapse.