NPR News

The politics of climate change hit the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday, illustrating the powerful and unpredictable role the court can play in protecting the health and safety of the nation.

Just four years ago, the justices repudiated the Bush administration and ruled 5-4 that the federal government has a duty to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. But on Tuesday, the justices gave a chilly reception to state governments that are suing electric utilities over emissions that contribute to global warming.

Michael Ignatieff has an international reputation as an author, a Harvard scholar and the man whose arguments helped persuade Western leaders to send military forces to protect Albanians in Kosovo.

Now, the academic is leading Canada's main opposition Liberal Party in national elections and running for prime minister. But his prestige abroad is turning out to be more of a hindrance than a help as he campaigns for Canada's top political job.

For the first time in Egyptian history, a woman is running for president.

Buthayna Kamel's candidacy in elections expected later this year is the result of the youth uprising that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak and his ruling party.

Still, many Egyptian women say they feel shut out of the new government that is emerging. They worry that unless they take bold steps, women will end up with less political clout in the new Egypt than they had under Mubarak.

A New Freedom Meets An Old Problem

Vusi Mahlasela is more than just a popular musician in South Africa. His simple yet powerful storytelling has helped connect and carry a nation recovering from an apartheid past. Despite a commitment to social activism, Mahlasela still makes music a priority — he recognizes the power that his talent has in bringing hope to others in South Africa.

News that air traffic controllers had fallen asleep at their posts has brought a chorus of outrage. But if you think it's easy for humans to stay awake and vigilant when working in the middle of the night, think again. The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer for making sure nodding off never occurs.

The problem is humans aren't nocturnal, but modern society demands some people work at night. So is there anything people can do to be certain they stay awake during the graveyard shift?