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Tuesday

Law

Supreme Court Considers Punitive Damage Limits

Philip Morris is asking the Supreme Court to invalidate a $79.5 million punitive-damage award in a case stemming from the death of one Oregon smoker. It's the ultimate test of whether the Constitution imposes significant limits on punitive damages in each and every case of misconduct.

Supreme Court Considers Punitive Damage Limits

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Obituaries

Former South African President Botha Dead at 90

P.W. Botha, who served as South Africa's last hard-line white president, has died at 90. Nicknamed "The Big Crocodile" for his belligerence and temper, Botha was the face of racist South Africa at the height of its anti-apartheid struggle.

Former South African President Botha Dead at 90

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World

India's Plan to Kill Muslim Heightens Tension

India plans to hang Kashmiri Muslim Mohammed Afzal, who was convicted of indirect involvement in the attack on India's parliament in 2001 in a trial that was riddled with shortcomings. Much hinges on India's president, a Muslim, who is handling a plea for clemency.

India's Plan to Kill Muslim Heightens Tension

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All Things Considered

Campaigns Gear Up for a Push to Finish in Elections

Midterm elections are one week away, and campaigns are making their final strategic moves to vie for a good showing at the polls. Robert Siegel talks with two campaign consultants who are in the thick of things: Democratic media stragegist David Axelrod, and Republican consultant Bill Greener.

Campaigns Gear Up for a Push to Finish in Elections

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U.S. Troop Fatalities in Iraq

October 31: Deadly Month Is Finally Over in Iraq

More than 100 members of the U.S. forces in Iraq were killed in October, making it the deadliest month for U.S. forces there since January 2005. Sectarian violence raged throughout the monthlong Ramadan, despite a beefed-up U.S. presence. This month, Vice President Cheney and others have objected to media coverage of the casualties.

October 31: Deadly Month Is Finally Over in Iraq

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Business

The Pink Flamingo Era Ends in Massachusetts

In Leominster, Mass., the Union Products company has been making plastic pink flamingos for nearly 50 years. The plant is closing tomorrow, after stopping production earlier this year. Robert Siegel talks with the man who created the first pink plastic flamingo as a Union Products employee back in the 1950s.

The Pink Flamingo Era Ends in Massachusetts

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Research News

Elephants Have a Concept of Self, Study Suggests

A study titled "Self-Recognition in an Asian Elephant" has found that elephants, like humans, chimpanzees, and dolphins, recognize themselves in mirrors. Robert Siegel talks with Joshua Plotnik, a gradate student in psychology at Emory University's Yerkes National Primate Research Center, who co-authored the study.

Elephants Have a Concept of Self, Study Suggests

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All Things Considered

Ohio Election Rules in Limbo a Week Before Vote

In Ohio, a federal judge is set to hear arguments over key parts of that state's new election-reform law -- which was meant to solve the voting problems that came up during the 2004 presidential election. The Wednesday hearing will determine whether voter identification will still be required on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Ohio Election Rules in Limbo a Week Before Vote

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Space

Astronauts Will Fix Hubble Telescope

NASA chief Michael Griffin announces plans for a special space shuttle mission to Hubble, so astronauts can replace batteries, gyroscopes and install two new instruments. The decision officially reverses the policy of Griffin's predecessor, who felt such a mission was too risky.

Astronauts Will Fix Hubble Telescope

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Xeni Tech

Fake Boarding Pass Site Stirs Concerns

A computer-science student in Indiana created a Web site that let users print out phony airplane boarding passes. The FBI took down the site Oct. 27. What's the latest?

Fake Boarding Pass Site Stirs Concerns

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North Korea's Nuclear Push

North Korea Agrees to Rejoin Nuclear Talks

North Korea will return to six-nation talks on nuclear disarmament, according to Chinese diplomats. The diplomatic breakthrough comes three weeks after North Korea conducted its first known atomic test.

North Korea Agrees to Rejoin Nuclear Talks

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Morning Edition

Voting Problems Crop Up Ahead of Elections

Signs of possible voting trouble are popping up ahead of midterm elections. The reports range from hackers getting into an official registration database to ballots being printed incorrectly.

Voting Problems Crop Up Ahead of Elections

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National

BP Refinery Accident Pinned on Equipment, Staffing

Faulty equipment and staff reductions contributed to an accident at BP's Texas City refinery last year, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board finds in a preliminary report. Fifteen people were killed, and another 100 injured, making it the nation's worst industrial accident in over a decade.

BP Refinery Accident Pinned on Equipment, Staffing

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