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Great Plains poet Ted Kooser of Nebraska will be the next poet laureate of the United States. Kooser's poems reflect the sweeping spaces and small-town life of rural America.

The Federal Reserve helps set the pace -- and the tone -- for the U.S. economy. While the body's interest rate changes ripple across global markets, the public knows little of its inner workings. Now a former Fed governor, Laurence Meyer, has written a book about his six years there. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and Meyer.

On her new album, We've Been Going About This All Wrong, Van Etten turns her steady gaze towards the wreckage of the last few years and still finds a way to prioritize compassion.

Humanitarian and rights groups say Sudanese government forces and Arab militiamen have committed fresh attacks throughout Darfur, including helicopter gunship bombings, rape and raids. Hear NPR's Jason Beaubien.

Writers often have precise rituals for putting their thoughts on paper. Spy novelist Daniel Silva admits his approach is manically methodical. As part of the Creative Spaces series, Silva invites NPR's Michele Norris into his den to talk process.

in Kabul, preparations are being made for Afghanistan's upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. Foreign organizations are trying to give the country's political parties the information, tools and tactics they need to become viable parts of the democratic process. Hear reporter Rachel Martin.

As he nears the end of his 3,000-mile journey across China, on the western side of the Gobi Desert, NPR's Gifford finds the last thing he would expect -- a bowling alley, the sign of a new middle class.

The FBI warns that al Qaeda may plan to use tourist helicopters or limousines in future attacks against the United States. The warning is apparently based on intelligence recently found on a laptop computer in Pakistan, some of which appears to be several years old. Also Monday, terror suspect Qari Saifullah Akhtar was detained in the United Arab Emirates. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly reports.

President Bush has named U.S. Rep. Porter Goss (R-FL) as his choice to head the Central Intelligence Agency. Goss, who served in the CIA before running for Congress, is chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea and NPR's Renee Montagne.

NPR's Allison Keyes reflects on the life of musician Rick James.