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Monday

Economy

Lesotho Textile Industry Feels Effect of New Trade Rules

New trade rules lifting quotas on garment exports are having an impact for many countries. One such country is the tiny African nation of Lesotho, where six factories have closed and some 6,000 workers have lost their jobs.

Lesotho Textile Industry Feels Effect of New Trade Rules

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Business

Brazil Makes Move to Open Source Software

The government of Brazil says it will switch 300,000 government computers from Microsoft's Windows operating system to open source software like Linux. Microsoft founder Bill Gates wants to meet with Brazil's president to discuss the change. Brazil is dropping all proprietary software.

Brazil Makes Move to Open Source Software

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Opinion

Deconstructing Iraq's Election

Supporters hope Iraq's election will be a turning point, but few expect dramatic change any time soon. With voting over and counting underway, Neal Conan and guests look at voter turnout: Who went to the polls Sunday and who didn't?

Deconstructing Iraq's Election

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Turnout for Iraqi Vote High Despite Violence

Iraqi officials say more than 8 million voters went to the polls Sunday, despite a string of suicide bombings and mortar attacks that killed at least 35 Iraqis. But turnout was very low among Sunnis, a group Iraq's interim government desperately wanted to include in the process.

Turnout for Iraqi Vote High Despite Violence

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Sunday

Voters Report Few Problems

Despite a fierce firefight early Sunday, no major violence occurred in the Sunni Triangle. In northern Iraq, Kurdish voters cast two ballots: one for the National Assembly and one for the creation of an independent region Kurdistan. NPR's Ivan Watson reports.

Voters Report Few Problems

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Iraqi Vote Despite Attacks

Iraqis have voted in large numbers in the country's first multi-party elections in more than half a century. A string of suicide bombings and mortar attacks, mostly in Baghdad, left at least 30 people dead and dozens wounded. NPR's Emily Harris reports.

Iraqi Vote Despite Attacks

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Iraqis Vote Despite Attacks

Millions of Iraqis defied death threats and violence to vote in the country's first contested election in a half century. Polling was marred by several suicide bombings around Baghdad, and a government official reported 30 people killed around Iraq. NPR's Emily Harris reports.

Iraqis Vote Despite Attacks

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Iraq Vote a Success, Says Bush

President Bush hails the large turnout for Iraq's national elections as a success. In an address Sunday afternoon, the president called the Iraqi vote "historic" after millions of Iraqi citizens turned out to elect a national assembly. Hear NPR's Liane Hansen and NPR's Tom Gjelten.

Iraq Vote a Success, Says Bush

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Saturday

An Iraqi Election Primer

Daniel Serwer, vice president and director of Peace and Stability Operations for the U.S. Institute of Peace, explains the complex process of electing a 275-member national assembly for Iraq. The assembly's first job will be to write a constitution by Aug. 15, 2005.

An Iraqi Election Primer

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Friday

Expert: Iraq Unlikely to Ask for Immediate U.S. Withdrawal

Middle East expert Peter Khalil discusses a potential U.S. exit strategy in Iraq following the Jan. 30 election and whether Iraq's new government might demand an immediate withdrawal of American forces.

Expert: Iraq Unlikely to Ask for Immediate U.S. Withdrawal

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Afghanistan Takes Steps to Reconcile with Taliban Fighters

The Afghan government weighs the details of an effort aimed at national reconciliation with soldiers of the Taliban. In some provinces, the process has already begun.

Afghanistan Takes Steps to Reconcile with Taliban Fighters

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On Capitol Hill, Pressure Grows to Lay Out Exit Strategy

President Bush has suggested that this Sunday's elections will mark a major turning point for the fledgling Iraq government. Congressional Democrats and some Republicans are using the pivotal day as a way to renew the debate about when and if the U.S. military should withdrawal.

On Capitol Hill, Pressure Grows to Lay Out Exit Strategy

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Basra Residents Hope Election Will Improve Living Standards

In Sunday's election in Iraq, Shiite voters are expected to come to the polls in large numbers. In the city of Basra, in southern Iraq, many hope the power of the ballot box will improve the standard of living.

Basra Residents Hope Election Will Improve Living Standards

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