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Educated Russians Often Lured To Leave

Credit Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP/Getty Images

Russia is suffering from an exodus of educated, talented citizens, including scientists. Here, scientists rally in Moscow to demand the government increase funding for science last October.

Credit Johannes Simon / Getty Images for Hubert Burda Media

Billionaire Yuri Milner recently awarded $3 million prizes for innovations in physics. Three of the nine winners, like Milner himself, were born in Russia but now live and work elsewhere.

By Corey Flintoff

Originally published on Fri September 14, 2012 10:43 am

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Russia has been facing troubling demographics ever since the Soviet breakup two decades ago. The population has contracted by several million people over this period. The birth rate is low. Life expectancy for men is still less than 65 years.

And there is also a sense that many educated, talented people are leaving the country.

To take one example, the world of science lit up in July, when a billionaire Internet investor named Yuri Milner announced nine prizes for some of the world's most innovative thinkers in physics.

1:24 am

Wed September 5, 2012

Southern Pride And The Southeastern Conference

Credit Butch Dill / AP

Texas A&M Coach Kevin Sumlin speaks to reporters at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media day.

By Frank Deford

Originally published on Wed September 5, 2012 3:46 am

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Well, the Southeastern Conference season has begun. I have it on good authority that other college football teams around the country will also be playing games this fall.

I don't know when exactly the SEC took over America. I know this is hard to believe, but the epicenter of college football used to be in the Midwest. I'm so old, I can remember when Notre Dame actually mattered, and the real tough players were supposed to come from Western Pennsylvania and Ohio.

1:23 am

Wed September 5, 2012

No-Bake Desserts? No Sweat

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Credit Dave Scantland for NPR

By editor

Originally published on Wed September 5, 2012 6:26 am

I was once known among my friends as the queen of desserts. OK, maybe that's an exaggeration, but I was at least the bringer of desserts. My circle of friends hosted frequent dinner parties, but my tiny apartment made entertaining any more than a couple of guests impossible. To make up for that, I always offered to bring a contribution. While I preferred appetizers, the day came when a friend asked for a dessert. With some trepidation, I complied. I have no idea what that first dessert was, but it was a hit. My fate was sealed.

11:30 pm

Tue September 4, 2012

Five Takeaways From Tuesday At The Democratic Convention

Credit Jae C. Hong / AP

First lady Michelle Obama waves after addressing the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday.

By Eyder Peralta

Originally published on Wed September 5, 2012 5:41 am

If you missed the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., we live blogged it here.

We've also compiled five things that struck us about the night:

'Mom In Chief' Takes A Stand: There is no question that the first night of the convention belonged to first lady Michelle Obama, who delivered a sweeping, personal and dramatic endorsement of her husband, President Obama.

11:26 pm

Tue September 4, 2012

Chat Archive: Tuesday At The Democratic Convention

By editor

Originally published on Wed September 5, 2012 10:51 pm

On Tuesday, NPR's Frank James hosted a live chat during the Democratic convention. He was joined by Neal Carruth, NPR's elections editor; political science professors Sarah Treul of the University of North Carolina and Melody Crowder-Meyer of Sewanee: The University of the South; and Jake Silverstein, editor of Texas Monthly.

Read below to see how it unfolded.

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1:38 am

Wed September 5, 2012