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From A Land Where Music Was Banned — To Carnegie Hall

Credit Shah Marai / AFP/Getty Images

Afghanistan's youth orchestra performs in Kabul on Jan. 31. The orchestra is coming to the U.S. and will appear at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.

Credit Musadeq Sadeq / AP

The Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Kabul trains both boys and girls. Here, students practice in January.

By Sean Carberry

Originally published on Sun February 3, 2013 3:49 pm

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In Afghanistan, there was no sound of music when the Taliban ruled from 1996 to 2001. The Islamist militants destroyed music CDs and instruments and even jailed musicians.

Today, there are music schools and young Afghans playing in public. And, this weekend, 48 Afghan boys and girls are traveling to the U.S. to perform at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.

5:11 am

Sun February 3, 2013

Panetta: 'My Mission Has Always Been To Keep The Country Safe'

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Credit Jacquelyn Martin / AP

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta arrives in London on Jan. 17. Panetta is stepping down as defense secretary as soon as the Senate confirms his successor.

Credit Cliff Owen / AP

Leon Panetta has spent more than 40 years in Washington politics. He's worked as a congressman, the White House chief of staff, the director of the CIA and, most recently, the secretary of defense.

By editor

Originally published on Sun February 3, 2013 3:49 pm

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For more than 40 years, Leon Panetta has split his life on two coasts: his home in California and his work in Washington, D.C. It's a career that included 16 years in Congress, stints as White House chief of staff for President Clinton, and as the head of the CIA and the Pentagon under President Obama.

As Panetta prepares to leave his job as defense secretary, he sat down with Rachel Martin, host of Weekend Edition Sunday, to talk about his years in Washington and serving in the Obama administration.

4:49 pm

Sat February 2, 2013

FDA Challenges Stem Cell Companies As Patients Run Out Of Time

Credit U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Scientists have seen promise in the potential of stem cells, but not everyone agrees stem cell replacement therapy is ready for prime time.

By NPR Staff

Originally published on Sun February 3, 2013 10:30 am

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Americans seeking stem cell replacement therapy hope the process can heal them of myriad diseases, and a 2011 report by the Baker Institute estimated the industry could bring in $16 billion in revenue by 2020.

4:07 pm

Sat February 2, 2013

Turkish Left-Wing Group Claims Responsibility For U.S. Embassy Blast

Credit AP

Mourners gather in Ankara on Saturday by the coffin of Mustafa Akarsu, who was killed in the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Turkey's capital on Friday.

By Padmananda Rama

A radical left-wing group is calling Friday's attack on the U.S. Embassy in Turkey "an act of self-sacrifice" against the U.S. The suicide bombing killed an embassy guard and injured several others.

1:56 pm

Sat February 2, 2013

Direct Talks With Iran? Biden Says It's Possible

Credit Matthias Schrader / AP

Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Saturday.

By Korva Coleman

Originally published on Sat February 2, 2013 2:53 pm

Vice President Joe Biden says the United States is ready to hold direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program — provided that the country's top leader is serious about such discussions.

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5:21 am

Sun February 3, 2013