Search results for

The U.S. dollar is appreciating in value against other currencies — an increase that comes with some benefits, but can also potentially be a drag on the economy.

President Bush has chosen Wall Street veteran Henry M. Paulson Jr. to be his third treasury secretary. If confirmed, he would succeed John Snow. The Wall Street Journal's David Wessel tells Steve Inskeep that the Goldman Sachs CEO can make a difference at Treasury by taming the federal budget process and the tending to the value of the dollar.

Divisions among Democrats take center stage as the Senate debates two Iraq amendments to the defense bill. One, from Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), calls for a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq by a certain date. A competing amendment, also from the Democrats, is an open-ended call for the withdrawal of troops. Republicans stand largely united against the amendments.

President Bush addresses the diplomatic challenge of North Korea's missile tests at a press conference in Chicago, where he vowed to work with allies to pressure the Stalinist nation to abandon its aggressive nuclear weapons program. Don Gonyea talks with Alex Chadwick about the president's remarks.

President Biden is on his first trip to Asia since taking office. In South Korea and Japan, he'll try to coordinate more closely with them on priorities including strategic competition with China.

Humanitarian groups are finding cheaper ways -- namely, filtering systems -- to clean up contaminated drinking water in developing nations. That could greatly reduce diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites among the billion people worldwide who drink unsafe water.

Bird lovers say they're friendly and intelligent -- but a Connecticut power utility calls them a nuisance, and it's rounding them up to kill them. Tandaleya Wilder of member station WSHU reports on the skirmish over the wild monk parakeet.

Rain runoff from roofs of buildings across the United States adds to the pollution of lakes and streams and can overburden sewage systems and storm drains. But more of those roofs are turning "green." There's a push under way to grow plants on the tops of buildings to capture rainwater and air pollutants.

The Biden administration came to office promising to revive a nuclear deal with Iran, but for months officials have said time is running out. The top negotiator is briefing Congress on the stalemate.

About 1,000 people have been evacuated from a town in Southern California after a landslide Wednesday. Multimillion-dollar houses in Laguna Beach were destroyed as residents escaped. Meanwhile, construction continues on new and glamorous homes in the area. Member station KPCC's Rob Schmitz reports.