Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• At NH debate, Bachmann and Pawlenty compete for spotlight
  Minnesota's two Republican presidential candidates spent more time criticizing President Obama during a GOP debate Monday night than they did going after their rivals for their party's nomination. Michele Bachmann captured some of the limelight when she formally announced her intention to run for the White House.7:20 a.m.
• Same-sex marriage supporters raise money to defeat amendment
  About 150 others people filled a downtown Minneapolis restaurant Monday night for a fundraiser hosted by one of the organizations fighting a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota.7:25 a.m.
• Courts' role in deciding state spending is questioned
  A Ramsey County judge will decide whether Minnesota should continue funding essential services if state government shuts down on July 1. Attorney General Lori Swanson filed a petition asking a judge for authority to continue funding some services. But some lawmakers question the courts' role in funding state services.8:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• GOP Hopefuls Target Obama, Not Each Other
  The seven Republican presidential candidates who met in New Hampshire for their first debate Monday night were careful not to turn their rhetorical firepower against one another. Instead, they criticized President Obama's handling of the economy and vowed to repeal his health care overhaul.
• Texas Gov. Perry Ratchets Up Conservative Credentials
  In the past two weeks, Rick Perry has gone from ridiculing journalists' questions about a possible run for president to openly considering it. Perry is known as a fiscal conservative first and a social conservative second. But lately he has made a concerted effort to burnish his social conservative credentials.
• Full Steam Ahead For China's Rail Links Abroad?
  China has ambitious plans for expanding high-speed rail systems throughout Southeast Asia and to Europe. And though Beijing is offering to foot much of the bill, negotiating the politics of building the rail links is tricky.
• In Libya's Gasoline Shortage, Women Get A Break
  Cars stretch as far as the eye can see outside Libyan gas stations because of a shortage caused by the global campaign against leader Moammar Gadhafi. But the government has set aside a gas station in Tripoli for women only — meaning the ladies can avoid the lines of scuffling male drivers.
• Italian Referendums Deal A Blow To Berlusconi
  Italians voted overwhelmingly in four referendums to overturn key legislation passed by the government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The prime minister had urged voters to boycott the votes on nuclear power, privatization of water utilities and trial immunity for government officials.
• Syrian Blogger Monitors Country's Uprising
  In Syria, refugees are still fleeing into Turkey after government forces cracked down on a rebellious northern town. Other details are more difficult to get hold of. For example, what is daily life like across the country? Steve Inskeep talks to a woman who blogs from Damascus, who writes under the name Jasmine Roman.
• Honda Expects Crises To Put A Big Dent In Profits
  Honda announced Tuesday that its profits will likely drop more than 60 percent this year. That's after Japan's earthquake and tsunami disrupted supplies and caused a parts shortage, which led to a big drop in sales. The strong yen isn't helping either — it's eating into profits.
• GM Poised To Reclaim World's No. 1 Automaker Title
  General Motors is about to surpass Toyota in sales. That's after Toyota cut its sales projections following supply chain disruption because of this year's earthquake and tsunami. The last time GM beat Toyota worldwide was in 2008.
• Cuban Coffee Brand May Pour Into Mainstream
  The 2010 Census found every state has seen an increase in Cuban-Americans from a decade earlier. So it may not be surprising that a popular South Florida coffee with deep Cuban roots is being swallowed up by a multi-billion dollar company.
• Facebook To Issue Stock Offering Next Year
  It's been rumored for months, but CNBC reports Facebook's IPO will happen sometime in the first quarter of next year. The business news channel says Facebook could be valued at more than $100 billion. Going public will put pressure on Facebook to become more profitable, so users might see some changes.

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