WBUR Newsroom Election 2008 CommonHealth Blog Boston Weather BBC World News NPR Top Stories NPR's Morning Edition NPR Topics: Books NPR Topics: Movies Fresh Air All Things Considered Marketplace Submit a Story Idea RSS Feeds Podcasts  Top Stories In Struggling Cuba, Signs Of New Opportunities Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:23:00 -0400 In Cuba, one of President Raul Castro's most dramatic recent announcements was that he would allow private farmers access to up to 100 acres of idle government land. The plan is a shift toward private enterprise on the socialist island. Real | Windows Around Resorts, Boomlet Towns Thrive, Too Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:56:00 -0400 Around the country, more Americans are living where they want to, not where they have to. They're making new lives for themselves by the beach and in the mountains. Locals who have been forced out often buy houses nearby — and have their own effect on smaller towns. Real | Windows Bacteria Fingered As Killer In 1918 Flu Pandemic Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:23:00 -0400 Bacterial pneumonia attacked virus-weakened lungs and killed most of the 50 million victims of the 1918 flu pandemic. This finding may be good news should another flu pandemic strike, because doctors are now armed with effective treatments for bacterial infections. Real | Windows Fort Hunt GIs Sent WWII POWs Care Packages Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:38:00 -0400 The secret packages were part of a highly classified effort to help American POWs escape from their German captors. Inside there were baseballs, pipes and cribbage boards that contained compasses, saws, escape maps and radio transmitters. Real | Windows Obama Fires Back At McCain Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:22:00 -0400 A day after John McCain spoke to the group, Barack Obama addressed the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Orlando, Fla. He told McCain to stop questioning his patriotism and character, and he hit the Arizona senator on his support for Iraq and Pakistan. Real | Windows U.S. To Build Missiles On Polish Soil Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400 The U.S. and Polish governments have decided to fast-track a missile defense program. The tensions between Georgia and Russia sped the talks that brought about the move. We examine reactions by Russian and European leaders. Real | Windows U.S. Cost Of Living On The Rise Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:28:00 -0400 The cost of living is growing at a rate unseen since the early nineties, according to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Labor. And wages aren't keeping up. William Spriggs, professor of Economics at Howard University, explains why the gap between earning and spending power is increasing by so much, and so fast. Real | Windows Puerto Rican Residents Look Elsewhere For Opportunities Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0400 An increasing number of residents from Puerto Rico -– particularly those with middle class and professional backgrounds— are looking for work in Florida following an economic slowdown in Puerto Rico. Miami Herald reporter Frances Robles, who has been writing about the issue, is joined by marketing professional Xavier Vilaro to discuss the trend. Vilaro recently left Puerto Rico and is currently looking for work in Florida. Real | Windows Psychologists and Guantanamo Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:51:00 -0400 Over the weekend, the American Psychological Association debated a resolution that would restrict the role of psychologists in military interrogations at Guantanamo. Two psychologists weigh in. Real | Windows U.S. Athletes Shine Golden In Individual Sports Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:17:00 -0400 The 11th day of the Olympic Games in Beijing saw Americans take gold medals with individual displays of strength, skill and strategy, while U.S. teams advanced toward their final rounds. U.S. gymnast Shawn Johnson captured her first gold on the balance beam. Real | Windows Grim Anniversary: Credit Crunch Is 1 Year Old Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:32:00 -0400 It was a year ago this week that the global credit crunch began. The mortgage business was struggling with steep losses, and the troubles were spreading throughout the credit markets. Since then, the economy has ground almost to a halt. How much has changed in a year and what's been learned? Real | Windows Inflation A Growing Threat As Producer Prices Jump Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:30:00 -0400 An index tracking prices that companies pay for goods jumped up sharply in July, which means inflation is a growing threat. Meanwhile, the housing market continues to slump, with home-builders sharply cutting back on construction projects. Real | Windows