Until just a few months ago, farmers in Argentina were thriving like never before. Now, they are facing the pressures of a worsening international economy, as well as drought. Demand for crops is plummeting as costs for fertilizers, herbicides and other necessities have gone up.

President-elect Barack Obama is considering Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as head of the Department of Homeland Security. Kent Alexander, who went to law school and served as U.S. attorney with Napolitano, talks about the her qualifications.

The California State University system may cut student enrollment by 10,000 students because of a statewide budget cuts. Allison Jones, assistant vice chancellor of the California State University system, explains what the move could mean for current and future college students.

Californians voted in favor of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage earlier this month. Gay rights groups are now challenging the amendment in the California Supreme Court.

Last week, Mexican journalist Armando Rodriguez was brutally murdered by gunfire outside his home in Juarez. Rodriquez is the 24th journalist to be murdered in Mexico since 2000, making Mexico one of the most dangerous countries for reporters. Journalist Arturo Chacon and Monica Campbell, from the Committee to Protect Journalists, discuss the situation.

President-elect Barack Obama's historic win is the source of much discussion overseas. Many Europeans hope that the election of an African American president in the US will spur their own countries to re-examine their own racial dynamics. Steven Erlanger, New York Times' Paris Bureau Chief, and author Mely Kiyak explain the phenomenon of "The Obama Effect."

Since the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, the Rwandan government has worked to unify the country's conflicted Hutu and Tutsi heritages and rebuild the economy. As part of that effort, the Rwandan government says that schools must begin to conduct classes in English, an effort to help Rwanda become a part of the global economic community. Toronto Globe and Mail correspondent Stephanie Nolen explains the effort.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. For most Israelis and for many Jews around the world, it marks a time of celebration. But for many Palestinians, it was the 60th year of Naqbeh, also known as "the catastrophe". A new book, Sixty Years, Sixty Voices: Israeli and Palestinian Women highlights the struggle for peace in the words of women.

California Rep. Henry Waxman on Thursday unseated Rep. John Dingell for the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Dingell, 82, of Michigan, had been the top Democrat on the panel for 28 years.

President-elect Barak Obama is expected to offer the top job at the Department of Homeland Security to Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, two officials familiar with Obama's plans told NPR Thursday.

California Rep. Henry Waxman won the chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee in a key vote among House Democrats on Thursday morning. He replaces longtime Chairman John Dingell of Michigan. The move could have a major impact on issues from energy to health care.

The nation's largest university system says huge budget cuts mean it won't be able to accept all eligible student applicants. The California State University traditionally has accepted every student with at least a B average. Now it is on the verge of raising its academic standards and pushing up its application deadlines. Those actions are expected to hurt low-income students with few academic choices.

There are indications that President-elect Barack Obama has chosen former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle to head the Department of Health and Human Services. The transition team won't confirm that.

The Obama transition team has announced that campaign strategist David Axelrod will be a senior adviser. Some compare Axelrod's relationship with President-elect Obama to that of Karl Rove and President Bush, or James Carville and President Clinton. During the campaign, Axelrod wore out several BlackBerries because he was e-mailing, texting and calling so much.

The economic news just keeps getting worse. The stock market is at its lowest level in more than five years. The number of homes being built continues its downward spiral. Retailers are predicting a miserable holiday season. David Wessel, economics editor of The Wall Street Journal, tells Steve Inskeep he's watching for signs of deflation.