Search results for

Fattah candidate Mahmoud Abbas declares victory over rival Mustafa Barghouti in Palestine's presidential race. With turnout estimated at more than 60 percent, polls show a large lead for Abbas, who would succeed Yasser Arafat. Hear NPR's Jacki Lyden and NPR's Julie McCarthy.

A report by the National Research Council says there is still room for improvement at the National Zoo, but concludes the zoo has made strides toward providing better conditions for its animals. Congress asked for this independent review in 2002 when two endangered red pandas died after eating rat poison buried in their enclosure.

Pope John Paul II's body lies in repose in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace. Dignitaries paid their respects and tens of thousands of visitors thronged to Saint Peter's Square for a memorial mass Sunday.

The White House hopes to raise $35 billion over two days in Madrid for Iraq's reconstruction. Some observers call the goal unrealistic, and note that many countries are reluctant to make significant contributions while Iraq remains under U.S. control. Delegates from 70 countries are considering how much they'll pledge. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

Despite large-scale anti-American violence in Baghdad, President Bush and top American generals assert that the United States is making steady progress in rebuilding Iraq. Citing gains in the nation's economy and overall security, administration and military officials say that Monday's attacks show Hussein loyalists' desperation. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld calls Sunday's deaths of 16 servicemen in the downing of a U.S. helicopter "tragic," but says "in a long hard war, we are going to have tragic days as this." U.S. military officials believe the transport helicopter was likely downed by a shoulder-fired missile. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

This year, two so-called "outsider" candidates have proved to appeal to voters -- Arnold Schwarzenegger and Howard Dean. As part of the Public Radio Collaboration Whose Democracy Is It?, NPR's Mara Liasson reports on the fascination the public has for those candidates who run for office as "outsiders" -- either apart from the two-party system, or as one who opposes the Washington "insiders."

A Defense Intelligence Agency assessment suggests pre-war intelligence on Iraq's weapons programs from defectors and Iraqis in exile may have been useless, according to The New York Times. Meanwhile, two members of the House Intelligence Committee send a letter to CIA Director George Tenet charging failures of intelligence on Iraq. Hear NPR's Mike Shuster.

President Bush and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder publicly put aside their differences over the U.S.-led war in Iraq, announcing plans to cooperate in stabilization and reconstruction efforts there. Germany is not expected to contribute troops but could help train Iraqi security forces. Hear NPR's Vicky O'Hara.

House Democrats release an analysis suggesting that at best, the cost of military operations in Iraq will add $179 billion to the federal deficit over the next decade. Meanwhile, Republicans vow to approve President Bush's $87 billion funding request for Iraq. Both parties call on the White House to be more upfront about expected Iraq-related costs. Hear NPR's Andrea Seabrook.