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Somaliland Coast Guard patroling the waters off of Berbera. The coast guard relies on informants on shore to monitor and alert the coast guard to suspicious activity along its shores. Credit: Brendan Bannon/NPR.

Brendan Bannon/NPR

In Impoverished Somalia, Piracy
Is An Attractive Career Option

To most of the world, Somalia could easily be renamed the Land of Pirates. Hijackings on the high seas have become routine off the coast of this East African nation. Known for their pragmatism, Somalis have taken to piracy because it's a multimillion-dollar industry that works. "We understand what we're doing is wrong. But hunger is more important than any other thing," a pirate known as "Boya" says.

The World's Unluckiest Pirate?

Movies

Older 'Star Trek' Fans May Skip This Voyage

Torture Memo Probe May Lead
To Disbarments

The report will refer people to bar associations for possible disciplinary action, sources tell NPR.

In Mexico, Flu
Spoils The Party

Cinco de Mayo marks the Mexican army's unlikely defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla.

Afghan, Pakistani Meetings Highlight Complex Ties

Obama plays host Wednesday to the leaders of the two countries.

Don't Miss

Grieving Chinese Family Quells Memories To Heal

Melissa Block checks in on the family of a boy who died in the quake last year.

Online Chat: 11 A.M. ET Wed.

Nation's First Face
Transplant Revealed

Connie Culp, who was shot in the face, can talk, smile and taste her food again.

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Politics

Watching Washington

Kemp Evoked Era And Spirit Of Reagan's Rise

by Ron Elving

Jack Kemp, who died this weekend, was the original big-tent Republican, all about outreach and welcome.

Nation

Baby Dies After Being Attacked, Thrown From Car

A 21-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after police said he snatched up his ex-girlfriend's 3-month-old son during a fight and then threw the baby from his car on an interstate highway.

World

Georgia Says It Halts Army Mutiny To Disrupt NATO Exercises

President Mikhail Saakashvili says the situation in the country is fully under control.

Health & Science

Mo Willems: Getting
Adults To Draw

Mo Willems says one of the top reasons kids stop drawing is that they see that adults don't do it.

Business

Big Banks Get Stress Test Results

by John Ydstie

Some banks were told they need to raise more capital in order to be considered healthy.

Opinion

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo: Buy Mexican

by Jeff Holt

Our southern neighbors have fallen on hard times. This Cinco de Mayo, let's help them out.

NPR Music

full music site

Mother's Mix

Give Mom a link to our music mix -- the gift that costs you nothing and involves no thought whatsoever. It'll give her something to listen to while she waits in vain for your phone call.

Vladimir Horwitz bows on stage at Carnegie Hall; CREDIT: Sony Classical

The Classical 50

Vladimir Horowitz: The Piano Titan Returns

Sergei Rachmaninoff called him the greatest pianist of the 20th century. After a self-imposed 12-year exile, Horowitz triumphed at Carnegie Hall on May 9, 1965.