Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Swedish town takes sustainability to new level
  A town in Europe has figured out a solution for a problem that vexes Minnesota and communities all over the world -- what to do with garbage.6:45 a.m.
• Domestic abuse among elders remains a hidden problem
  We've heard of children and caregivers physically exploiting seniors, but it turns out that abuse between partners and spouses is also substantial--and a largely hidden problem.7:40 a.m.
• London play to be beamed to Guthrie
  In an experiment that's both new and old, the National Theater in London is filming performances of "Phedre" starring actress Helen Mirren, and a handful of its other plays this season, and beaming them to theaters in the U.S. and elsewhere.8:25 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Tensions Flare Between China's Uighars, Hans
  Historically, there have been tensions between the Uighars and Han Chinese in western China's Xinjiang province. Linda Benson is a professor at Oakland University, and her research focuses on Northwest China. She talks with Renee Montagne about the latest round of violence in the region.
• Getting Lost Is Totally Human. Try It
  Psychology professor Colin Ellard, author of You Are Here: Why We Can Find Our Way to the Moon, but Get Lost in the Mall, says you can train yourself to be more conscious of your surroundings.
• In Pamplona, Bulls Run And Tourism Soars
  The annual running of the bulls got underway Tuesday in Pamplona. Thousands of daredevils from Spain and around the world participate in the ritual by sprinting in front of a pack of bulls in the narrow streets of the old town.
• Tremors, Not Protests, Challenge G-8 Organizers
  Security is intense around the venue for the G-8 summit being held in Italy's earthquake-devastated city of L'Aquila. But the biggest fear of organizers is not violent protests by anti-global activists, but continuing aftershocks. And months after the powerful quake, reconstruction lags.
• Man Pays For Stop Sign Stolen 35 Years Ago
  A young man stole a stop sign in Salt Lake City 35 years ago. An official with Utah's Department of Transportation said they had received a check for $600, along with a letter apologizing for the deed. The writer added that he'd prayed no one was injured. He may find comfort in knowing his money will just about cover the cost of three new stop signs.
• Perks Lure Commercial Real Estate Tenants
  Commercial real estate has been feeling the effects of the recessionary economy. Foreclosures are on the rise in many cities, and downtown buildings are sitting vacant from coast to coast. In Seattle, where vacancy rates are approaching 20 percent, landlords are trying to woo new tenants and keep their old ones.
• Boeing To Buy 787 Parts Plant In S.C.
  Airplane manufacturer Boeing is taking over operations at one of its main suppliers in South Carolina. Boeing says buying Vought Aircraft Industries will improve efficiency. Being will pay $580 million for the plant that makes large sections of its 787 jetliner.
• Google To Take On Microsoft's Operating System
  Google has announced it's launching its own computer operating system. The move is aimed squarely at Microsoft's core territory — the software that's used to run other computer applications. Google's Chrome operating system is due out next year.
• Passenger Fixes Plane's Mechanical Troubles
  It's a moment weary vacationers stuck on a plane can only dream about. Passengers on a plane in Spain — headed for Britain — were told the flight would be delayed for at least eight hours due to a mechanical problem. Turns out, a licensed aircraft engineer was on the plane. He fixed the problem, and the flight ended up only being 35 minutes late.
• Polish Town May Cut Down 'Hitler Tree'
  Officials in a Polish town wanted to cut down a tree to make way for a traffic circle. It was discovered that the oak was planted in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War Two to mark Adolf Hitler's birthday. One elderly resident told Reuters "It's not the tree's fault that it was planted to honor the biggest criminal and enemy of Poland."
• Former FBI Director Freeh To Endorse Sotomayor
  Confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor are set for next week, and the endorsements are flowing with increasing intensity. So, too, is the political maneuvering. Later this week, former FBI director Louis Freeh is expected to join those formally recommending Sotomayor.
• G-8 Summit Picks Up Where G-20 Left Off
  President Obama is in Italy, meeting with fellow world leaders at the annual summit of the Group of Eight — the seven major Western countries plus Russia. The leaders last gathered in April for the G-20 summit in London. At that time, they promised a collective effort to promote a global economic recovery. Has progress been made since then?
• Riots Force China's President To Miss G-8
  China's President Hu Jintao has canceled plans to attend the G-8 summit in Italy, and instead has headed home to deal with mounting ethnic turmoil in the country's far west. The police and military presence was visibly beefed up after protests and vigilantism by ethnic Han Chinese in the Xinjiang territory on Tuesday.
• Rare Guilty Pleas In Artifacts Sting
  Two collectors from Utah pleaded guilty this week in the government's crackdown on the looting and trafficking of ancient Native American artifacts. That's a rare success for prosecutors in the decades-long effort to curb an artifacts black market in the Four Corners states.
• Political Crisis In Honduras Intensifies
  The Obama administration supports the reinstatement of ousted president Manuel Zelaya. But in Honduras, a growing opposition doesn't trust Zelaya. Michael Shifter is an analyst with the Inter-American Dialogue, a thank-tank based in Washington designed to address hemispheric issues. He talks with Steve Inskeep about the situation in Honduras.

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