Francois Hollande stands up in his car Tuesday as he rides up the Champs-Elysees after taking the oath of office as the new president of France. Shortly afterward, he flew to Germany to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel and discuss the continent's economic woes.
For New French President, Germany Is First Stop
()Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have different ideas about how to address Europe's financial turmoil. Their relationship will help set the tone for what happens next in Europe.
It's All Politics
Court Action May Lift Anonymity For Some Campaign Donors()
May 15, 2012 As of now, nonprofit groups that want to run campaign ads within two months of the general election will have to reveal the names of their donors. That's because a federal appeals court refused to stay a lower court's ruling on the matter. A full appeal could be heard this fall.
Monkey See
Home Video Picks: 'Being John Malkovich'()
May 15, 2012 Bob Mondello recommends the Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release of Being John Malkovich, directed by Spike Jonze and starring Malkovich, John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, and Catherine Keener.
The Fracking Boom: Missing Answers
'Close Encounters' With Gas Well Pollution()
May 15, 2012 Hundreds of thousands of natural gas wells have sprung up across the country. In Garfield County, Colo., the drilling rigs are so close to homes that some people call them "Close Encounters." When the gas boom began a decade ago, residents began asking: Is it safe to live this close? Their quest for answers became too polarizing to pursue.
Asia
The Price Of A Swift Pigeon: Try $328,000()
May 15, 2012 Growing Chinese wealth has driven up prices dramatically in a wide range of markets — including the market for racing pigeons. Chinese love the sport, and the wealthy have pushed up prices for the fastest birds to exorbitant levels.
Business
Shareholders Press JPMorgan Over Risk-Taking()
May 15, 2012 Days after the nation's biggest bank reported at least $2 billion in trading losses, some shareholders urged JPMorgan Chase to back rules limiting risky trading. Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon said the bank had learned its lessons and was taking steps to prevent more problems.
Planet Money
Is Facebook Worth $100 Billion?()
May 15, 2012 For Facebook to live up to its valuation, the company will need to redefine advertising as we know it.
The Salt
Vermont Beer Makers Bring Back Old-Time Maple Sap Brews()
May 15, 2012 VPRBoiling down the last of the season maple sap and brewing a strong dark beer to share in the summer was a common tradition on Vermont farms a couple of generations ago. The practice had all but died out but is being revived now, thanks to a handful of local brewers.








