Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Austrian ambassador to U.N. was Minnesota exchange student
  Exchange student programs have launched some distinguished careers. Two men who were high school exchange students in Minnesota returned recently to talk about the importance of the expierence in their lives. One is the Austrian ambassador to the United Nations.4:50 p.m.
• State predicts $2 billion budget surplus over next three years
  The surplus means lawmakers are likely to face a parade of proposals for spending the money in the 2007 session. Gov. Pawlenty also has proposed a plan that would give some of the money back to taxpayers.5:19 p.m.
• Making it new for the Minnesota Orchestra
  A leading indicator of the Minnesota Orchestra's interest in new music is its annual Composer Institute, which culminates in a public concert Friday. Behind the effort is the orchestra's resident advocate for contemporary composers, Aaron Jay Kernis.5:53 p.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Thousands of Iraqi Refugees Leave Daily
  Human Rights and aid groups warn that if the violence continues unabated in Iraq, its neighbors could face a widening refugee crisis. The United Nations says in a recent report that an estimated 1.4 million Iraqis have already fled to neighboring countries. At least 2,000 more leave Iraq every day.
• Singer Omar Bridges Gap Between U.S., British Soul
  British soul singer Omar isn't well known in the United States. But with the support of influential fans such as Stevie Wonder, he now is trying to break into the U.S. market with a new release, Sing (If You Want It).
• Fans Mark Anniversary of George Harrison's Death
  Wednesday marks the fifth anniversary of former Beatle George Harrison's death from cancer. Producer Paul Ingles solicits remarks from fans of the late George Harrison, the so-called "Quiet Beatle."
• Intricacies of Ancient Lunar-Cycle Machine Revealed
  In 1900, a team of sponge-divers discovered an ancient shipwreck from around 65 B.C. On the ship, they discovered the remains of a mysterious machine about the size of a shoebox. Scientists think it was used to calculate eclipses and other astronomical cycles. Researchers who completed a three-dimensional scan of the pieces say they are impressive.
• Study Finds Conflicts of Interest in Medical Research
  Conflicts of interest in clinical research tests are common, and not always disclosed, according to a large national survey of academics on institutional review boards. The first-of-its-kind review of the boards will likely fuel the debate over how research integrity is affected when clinical investigators have financial ties to companies that pay for testing.
• Joint Chiefs Chairman: No Civil War in Iraq
  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Peter Pace says that there is not a civil war in Iraq. Gen. Pace spoke to reporters as the Senate Armed Services Committee prepares to hold confirmation hearings next week for Defense Secretary nominee Robert Gates.
• Pope's Turkish Visit Renews Aya Sofia Dispute
  A lingering dispute centers over whether an ancient Byzantine landmark should be a mosque, a cathedral or a museum. Debate over the status of Aya Sofia has been re-ignited by Pope Benedict's trip to Turkey.
• Has the Move to Make Cars Greener Stalled?
  The Supreme Court hears arguments from states trying to force the federal government to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from cars. The government long ago forced automakers to install devices that have dramatically slashed the car pollutants that cause smog and other problems.
• Treasury Ordered to Make U.S. Bills Blind-Friendly
  A federal judge orders the Treasury Department to make changes in the way in prints money, so it will be easier for the blind to tell bills apart. The ruling, in response to an American Council of the Blind lawsuit, proposes several options. The Treasury Department has 10 days to appeal.
• High Court Hears Its First Global Warming Case
  The U.S. Supreme Court addresses the question of global warming for the first time, in a case in which states are asking the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gases in vehicles and power plants. At issue is whether the Bush administration can refuse to regulate carbon emissions.
• Falling Ill in Africa, and Loving It
  Commentator Daniel Pinkwater tells the story of his travels in East Africa in 1967 -- and how one night when he was very ill, lizards stared and him and played around. In retrospect, it was his finest night in Africa.
• What's Behind the Dollar's Autumn Swoon
  The U.S. dollar's value continues to weaken against the euro and the British pound. To find out why the U.S. currency is losing value, Robert Siegel talks with Fred Bergsten of the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
• Betting on Barramundi, the Green-Friendly Fish
  Tired of haddock and salmon? Josh Goldman is betting you'll wake up for barramundi. In fact, he's betting big bucks on America's largest inland fish farm, in the hope that consumers will love barramundi, a fish that can be grown with relatively little environmental impact.
• Bush, Maliki Meeting Put Off in Wake of Memo
  The White House says a day-long delay in a planned meeting between President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has nothing to do with a newly leaked White House memo questioning whether Maliki can control violence in Iraq. The session has been postponed until Thursday. Michele Norris talks with NPR's David Greene.
• Hadley's Memo on Maliki Reveals U.S. Analysis
  A memo written by National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley that criticizes Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has been leaked to The New York Times. The memo also considers the political environment in Iraq. Robert Siegel talks with Nancy Youssef, Baghdad bureau chief for McClatchy newspapers, who has met with Maliki both before and after he took his current post.

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