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South Africa is on watch for the fate of the 94-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The ailing Mandela, an international icon known for his fight to end apartheid, has been in the hospital for several days. For the latest on his condition, Renee Montagne speaks with NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton.

Earlier this month the Shay Number 4 locomotive made the eight-mile trip up Cheat Mountain, from the Cass Scenic Railroad depot in Pochantas County to the…

The IRS inspector general now has a different account of what investigators knew about the ideologies of the groups that underwent extra scrutiny as they sought tax-exempt status.

The fight over abortion rights has heated up in Texas. A dramatic late night filibuster session derailed the passage of new abortion restrictions on Tuesday night. The next day, Gov. Rick Perry, an abortion rights opponent, called for a special legislative session to start July, 1, to reintroduce the legislation.

Synthetic biologist Jay Keasling has already taught yeast to make the leading anti-malarial drug. His next project takes the technology a step further, using yeast to turn plant waste into diesel — and maybe gasoline and jet fuel, too.

During the Great Recession, whole neighborhoods in Phoenix were left half-built or mostly vacant. But now developers are buying these lots to keep up with the high demand for housing. The market isn't where it should be, but it's better than it was two years ago, one real estate agent says.

The last of the mandated federal budget cuts begin in July. Federal agencies have had to work around furloughs and other issues. For more on the effects of sequestration, David Greene talks to NPR's Brian Naylor, Tamara Keith, Pam Fessler and Larry Abramson.

While in Senegal on Thursday, President Obama toured the House of Slaves on Goree Island, a site which memorializes the final passage of African slaves to the Americas. At the presidential palace in Dakar, Obama said it's time for the U.S. to benefit from a partnership, and not simply give in the relationship with Africa.

Authorities said Monsignor Nunzio Scarano was plotting to help friends smuggle the money by jet from Switzerland to Italy. Scarano is already under investigation for money laundering.

Also: Dan Savage on stealing books; new works from Amy Tan; Jamie Oliver reads an entire book for the first time.