Roundup

Tchaikovsky's hidden depths [video 1 min 50 sec]

What more is there to say about Tchaikovsky? Every nook of his private life has been microscopically examined. The circumstances of his death at the age of 53 have been hotly discussed, the theory that he contracted cholera after recklessly drinking unboiled water vying with claims of suicide. The horrors of his unwise marriage have been pruriently picked over. The fruitful if bizarre relationship with his benefactress Mme von Meck, conducted purely through letters, ha

At 85, 'Atomic Ed' Is Still Ticking Off Los Alamos [audio 7 min 46 sec]

The most visited attraction in Los Alamos is the Bradbury Science Museum, where visitors find replicas of the two most famous bombs in history, Little Boy and Fat Man — dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. The next most visited attraction is the Black Hole, a government surplus store and museum whose inventory comes from the nation's foremost nuclear weapons lab — the Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory. Compared to the Bradbury Science Museum, the Blac

Aging Bridges Among Country's Infrastructure Woes [audio 8 min 14 sec]

As the economic crisis continues, a similar crisis looms in the country's aging infrastructure. In the first of a series of reports, Ray Suarez takes a look at Pennsylvania's bridge problem and how it may impact future economic recovery efforts.

Ancient religion under threat [video 2 min 41 sec]

Members of an ancient religious group living in the UK are warning their faith could soon disappear. The Sabian Mandaeans say they have nowhere to worship or teach their children about their faith.

Fire at historic Czech landmark [video 1 min 31 sec]

Part of the 19th-century Industrial Palace at the Exhibition Ground in Prague has been damaged by a fire that took 90 minutes to bring under control. The palace was built in the Art Nouveau style in 1891 and has been used as an exhibition hall and concert venue. The Communist Party held its congresses in the palace, during its 41 years of rule, that ended in 1989.

First powered flight's centenary [video 2 min 20 sec]

The first powered flight in Britain was made 100 years ago by American Sam Cody in a plane designed and built with the British Army.

Huge Church Rotated 90 Degrees [video 59 sec]

With hundreds of wheels attached to it, a cathedral in China is being rotated, as if on a turntable, to make way for a new road.

Rare bubble cars auctioned in UK [video 1 min 58 sec]

Eighty classic bubble cars are to be auctioned at the weekend at a museum in Lincolnshire.

The First Woman To Run For President — In 1872 [audio 8 min 11 sec]

In the 19th century, Victoria Claflin Woodhull was many things: a clairvoyant, a businesswoman, an advocate for women's rights and sexual freedom, and a magnet for media attention and scandal. But she is best known as the first woman to run for president. Her 1872 campaign came at a time when most women did not even have the right to vote.

William Jennings Bryan: An Electrifying Orator [audio 8 min 56 sec]

At the 1896 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, William Jennings Bryan gave a speech that electrified his party. The 36-year-old Bryan, who only served a couple of terms as a congressman from Nebraska and lost a bid for the U.S. Senate in 1894, was an unlikely presidential candidate. But his "Cross of Gold" speech — about the gold standard and its impact on the working class — won him the nomination. It is known today as one of the most important orato

Jacob Weisberg on the Psychology of George W. Bush [video 3 min 48 sec]

When Jacob Weisberg looked back at George W. Bush's life, he found a pattern of Bush attempting to follow in his father's footsteps.

Remembering The Great Depression [audio 1 min 35 sec]

Back in October of 1929, Kert Dees was a college student in Houston with a keen interest in finances. His first-hand experience of the Great Depression gives him an interesting perspective on economic uncertainty. Producer Ben Trefny of member station KALW brings us this audio postcard.

Indiana County Is A Presidential Election Oracle [audio 4 min 32 sec]

Vigo County in Indiana used to call itself "The Crossroads of America" because the nation's first national roads crossed there. But given the past two dozen presidential elections, the welcome signs into the county seat of Terre Haute could brag about being "The Political Pulse of America."

Veteran Finnish mediator Martti Ahtisaari wins Nobel Peace Prize [video 2 min 51 sec]

Martti Ahtisaari, the former President of Finland, won the Nobel Peace Prize yesterday for his work as an intermediary in conflicts including Northern Ireland, Kosovo and southern Africa.

A tour through the V&A's cold war design exhibition [video 1 min 59 sec]

A tour through the Victoria and Albert museum's Cold War Modern, an exhibition showcasing the gadgets, furniture and interior design that defined an era of great political tension and international one-upmanship.

Dow Falls Below 8,600 For First Time Since 2003 [audio 4 min 1 sec]

The Dow Jones industrial average has fallen below 8,600 points for the first time since 2003. Cary Leahey, senior economist with Decision Economics, says many of the Bush administration's moves have come too late and the market is trading off of "fear and just more fear."

French Novelist Wins Nobel Prize In Literature [audio 3 min 57 sec]

The Swedish Academy announced Thursday that Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio won the 2008 Nobel Prize in literature. In making the announcement, the academy praised the author for his adventurous novels, essays and children's literature.

Old Visitor Center Is New Battle Of Gettysburg [audio 3 min 56 sec]

The 1864 cyclorama painting, "The Battle of Gettysburg," is on display in a new visitors center. The National Park Service wants to demolish the old building but it was designed by Richard Neutra, one of the most important figures of modern architecture. Neutra's son has filed a lawsuit to force the Park Service to reconsider its decision.

Ice Age People in Florida? [video 5 min 5 sec]

People may have lived in Florida over 10,000 years ago--earlier than previously thought--according to evidence uncovered by National Geographic researchers.

Alan Greenspan and the Debate Over Free Market Capitalism [video 3 min 5 sec]

Alan Greenspan says the debate over the value of market competition and capitalism has been reopened by the current economic crisis. He calls for research into the cause of the growing inequality of income.