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Mali's popular Festival of the Desert, held each year near Timbuktu, attracts both local and international music stars. The festival took place in January, but the Islamists who have taken control of the area have since banned all entertainment.

Dueling Crises Crush Mali's Cultural Treasures

A coup in the capital and a rebellion in the north have put Mali's cultural treasures at risk. Ancient holy sites have been damaged or destroyed, and an international music festival in the Sahara Desert may be in jeopardy.

Scorched pastures are spreading across central Illinois and the rest of the Midwest. Technology and techniques developed from previous droughts like the Dust Bowl are helping to save some of today's crops, but there's no substitute for water.

This Drought's No Dry Run: Lessons Of The Dust Bowl

This summer's dry weather is drawing comparisons to the droughts of the 1950s and even the Dust Bowl years of the 1930s. Technology and techniques developed from those hard times are helping to save some of today's crops, but there's no substitute for water.

Alice Njeri found work, and her 10-year-old son Mike — who is physically and mentally disabled — received therapy and other services at a community center in Maai Mahiu, outside Nairobi, Kenya.

Kenya's Youngest 'Outcasts' Emerge From Shadows

Children with disabilities — estimated at more than 1 million — are shunned in Kenya as curses from God, shut away and largely neglected. Some nonprofits are helping these children and their families. But such programs are just a drop in the ocean given Kenya's paucity of basic human services.

A girl prepares a meal by candlelight in Jammu, India, during the massive blackout last week.

India's Blackout A Reminder Of How Far We've Come

The power outage in India this week, which darkened the lives of nearly 700 million people, brings to mind the time I spent there. It was nearly 50 years ago, when India was still a young democracy and power outages were as common as enjoying a cup of dark, sweet Indian tea.

Marathon baseball players in St. Louis. A recent game helped raise more than $150,000 for a local charity.

Going The Extra Inning In St. Louis, Mo.

A marathon baseball game in St. Louis raises money for families of injured or deceased firefighters and police officers.

South Sudan, Young And In Need, Visited By Clinton

As part of her seven-nation tour of Africa, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited South Sudan. NPR's John Burnett visited the one-year-old nation during Clinton's visit. He joins guest host Susan Stamberg to talk about Clinton's visit and the challenges facing the new nation.

Bee Professionals Help Canadian In Sticky Situation

A homeowner in Varney, Ontario, recently discovered 80,000 bees nesting in her house. She realized she had a problem when honey started dripping from the ceiling, and called Saugeen Country Honey for help. Guest host Susan Stamberg speaks with the company's co-owner, beekeeper Dave Schuit about the job.

Congress Takes A Break With Looming To-Do List

Congress wrapped up its summer work to take the remainder of August off. NPR's David Welna joins guest host Susan Stamberg to explain what Congress accomplished, and what's left on the must-do list before the November election.

Olympics Sets Off British Tears

You find out so much about a country when it's hosting the Olympics. It's almost as if the Games lay bare a nation's soul. NPR's Philip Reeves says that's what's happening in Britain. He's finding the experience unnerving, as he explains in this letter from the Olympics.

Syrian President's Cousin Denounces Violence

Ribal Assad, the first cousin of Syrian President Bashar Assad, is one of his fiercest critics. Ribal Assad has been living in exile since childhood, and he speaks with guest host Susan Stamberg from England.

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