Kevin Hill, a San Diego landscape designer, was doing well financially before the downturn. Now, he says he feels "lost." John Ydstie/NPR hide caption

For the past two months, the Philippines and China have been locked in a standoff over territory in the South China Sea that both countries claim.The Philippine navy accused Chinese boats of fishing illegally in the area. Protesters in the Philippines are shown here marching in Manila earlier this month. Pat Roque/AP hide caption

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Homeland Security analysts watch for threats to U.S. technological infrastructure at the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

Kimberly Payton, a teacher at the Small Savers Child Development Center, reads to a group of preschoolers in Washington, D.C., in 2010. Researchers say that teachers who make small changes in how they read to 4-year-olds can improve kids' reading skills later on. Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post/Getty Images hide caption

Bassel Shehadeh, a budding Syrian filmmaker, left Syracuse University and returned to his homeland, where he filmed the uprising. He was recently killed during fighting in the central city of Homs. This photo was provided by the Shaam News Network. Shaam News Network/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

President Obama and John Brennan, his top counterterrorism adviser, in the Oval Office on Jan. 4, 2010. Brennan is a key voice about who gets put on the "kill list." Pete Souza/White House hide caption

A message from Ashley Dias. Chana Joffe-Walt/NPR hide caption

Audra McDonald is nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess. She tells All Things Considered about the song that started her on her theater journey. Michael Wilson hide caption

Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson in the 1960s. John Cohen/Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption