Obama's Early Brush With Financial Markets A little-known chapter in Sen. Barack Obama's life is the year he spent writing about financial markets for a New York City firm. The job gave him a crash course in market economics — knowledge that some say is still evident on the campaign trail. Windows Media RealPlayer

Iran Test-Fires Missiles In Show Of Defiance Iran test-fired missiles Wednesday, an exercise that Iranian officials say was a response to hostile rhetoric from the United States and Israel. Windows Media RealPlayer

Pentagon To Rule On Disputed Air Force Contract Iran's missile test comes during the same week that the U-S made progress on a missile defense system in Europe. One of the system's goals would be to defend against Iran's missiles. NPR Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman talks to host Steve Inskeep about the missile test as well as reports that the Air Force will reopen bids for new air refueling tankers. Windows Media RealPlayer