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Economists and the markets were skeptical about the Fed's latest plan to cut already-low interest rates in an effort to boost the economy. But, as one business professor says, "there's no magic elixir" for the situation the U.S. is in.

As a middle-school student in the '80s, Lee Buono stayed after school one day to remove the brain and spinal cord from a frog. He did such a good job that his science teacher told him he might become a neurosurgeon someday. That's exactly what Buono did.

Though order was restored to the financial markets, tough times continue for millions who are unemployed and struggling to hang on to homes and retirement savings. It sure feels like a recession, but it's not.

Syria's government is quashing protest online as well as in the streets. Host Audie Cornish talks to NPR's Deb Amos in Beirut to expand on what the success of the Syrian Electronic Army means for the momentum of the opposition protests and the state of play inside Syria.

The Palestinian push for statehood recognition has sparked fears of new violence in the West Bank. Neither Palestinians nor Israelis appear content with the security provided by their own governments, and "Neighborhood Security Watch" groups have been formed by both groups. While settlers are trained by the Israeli Defense Forces, Palestinians are forming teams to monitor, document and detain settlers they believe will seek out attacks. Sheera Frenkel reports.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry's campaign speeches often note that he's from Paint Creek, Texas, a place in the flat, dusty, west-central part of the state that's so small it's barely on the map. NPR National Political Correspondent Don Gonyea headed there this week, and along the way watched Perry's old high school play a football game.

The new nation is in need of a major development program. There is also a lot unfinished business in the peace process that divided Sudan into two, along with new accusations that South Sudan is supporting rebellions in its northern neighbor.

The 62-year-old endurance swimmer gave up her attempt after more than 40 hours of swimming. The cause: Painful man o' war stings, which medics warned could be life-threatening.

Breakthrough technology is allowing previously untapped oil to be drilled in the U.S., Canada and South America. And experts say that's moving the global energy supply's center of gravity away from the Middle East and toward the Americas. In a decade, they say, that could make the U.S. a bigger oil producer than Saudi Arabia. Small towns like Williston, N.D., are reaping the benefits — and bearing the burdens — of the boom.

Women's groups in Afghanistan rose up in protest when the government said it was planning to take control of women's shelters. After months of discussion, the government backed down. The shelters will remain independent and are able to receive money from donors.