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Bob and Jani Bergdahl, the parents of freed American soldier Bowe Bergdahl, with President Obama at the White House on Saturday. The controversy over Bergdahl's release could cast a long shadow over the administration.

The controversy over the exchange of a U.S. soldier for five senior Taliban fighters at Guantanamo Bay could rival or even surpass Benghazi.

Michele Vaccaro buries a fig tree in the yard of Mary Menniti in Sewickley, Pa.

Why Bury Fig Trees? A Curious Tradition Preserves A Taste Of Italy

For generations, Italian-American fig growers in the Northeast have buried their trees in trenches for the winter. It's a tradition that preserves both flavor and ancestral ties to southern Italy.

The skull of a female Neanderthal, who lived about 50,000 years ago, is displayed at the Natural History Museum in London.

Diabetes Gene Common In Latinos Has Ancient Roots

Scientists have found a gene that helps to explain why Mexicans are prone to Type 2 diabetes. The disease gene, like many others we humans carry, dates back to the time when humans and Neanderthals had sex thousands of years ago.

U.S. Proposes Nuclear Ban at Disarmament Conference

The U.S. is pushing countries around the world to accept new restrictions on their nuclear programs. An American diplomat at a conference in Geneva has proposed a treaty to ban the production of plutonium and highly enriched uranium. Security analyst Joe Cirincione talks with Steve Inskeep about the proposal.

U.S. Courts Dust Off High Seas Piracy Laws

The U.S. is prosecuting pirates again. Piracy is one of the oldest crimes in federal law. Three cases have been heard in Virginia, including one in which five Somali men were sentenced this week to life plus 80 years. Often, suspects claim to be minors, and the government has to spend time trying to find out if it's true.

Lezak's Record Lap Snags Gold No. 2 For Phelps

The U.S. Olympic swim team struck gold in the 400-meter freestyle relay, beating the French team by a fingertip. The victory lets Michael Phelps continue his quest to win a historic eight gold medals, but it was teammate Jason Lezak who clinched this medal with the fastest relay lap ever.

Taliban Takes Advantage Of Lull In U.S. Offensive

It's been nearly two months since Sgt. Robert Bales was accused of killing 17 Afghan civilians. After that, U.S. forces essentially stopped carrying out operations in the area of the massacre. As a result, the Taliban has been able to plant more explosives.

Elton John and Bernie Taupin promote the film Rocketman at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019.

Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin win the 2024 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

One of the most prestigious awards in American music, the Gershwin Prize recognizes musicians with a lifetime of contributions to popular songs. This year's winners are Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Matthew Blair, a researcher at Tennessee State University, examines different varieties of amaranth growing in the university's experimental fields.

The Aztecs Once Revered It. Will You Fall For Amaranth, Too?

Hardier than corn, this ancient grain has a subtle, nutty flavor and is full of nutrients. But for most Americans, amaranth is still obscure. Researchers in Tennessee hope to change that.

Do Pakistanis Support U.S. Drone Attacks?

Drone strikes in Pakistan are in the spotlight after that country's Prime Minister visited the U.S., and a new report detailed hundreds of civilian casualties from American attacks. But how do people in Pakistan view drones? Host Michel Martin speaks to freelance journalists Aisha Sarwari and Madiha Tahir to find out.

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