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As Russia swears in a new president, observers question whether the leader, Vladimir Putin's successor, will have real power to chart his own course for the country. He takes over a nation with a booming oil economy, and many serious problems.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has used his country's vast energy wealth to return Moscow to the world stage during his eight years in office. But instead of integrating with the West, as some had hoped, the Kremlin has made its mark by opposing Western policy.

NPR has learned that the Bush administration is pushing for increased military action along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The plan is part of an effort to kill or capture Osama bin Laden and other top al-Qaida leaders by the time the president leaves office.

Tracy Morgan, a Saturday Night Live alumnus and one of the stars of NBC's 30 Rock, has a new memoir — I Am the New Black — about growing up in what he calls "Ghetto, USA."

The star of NBC's 30 Rock talks to Terry Gross about his tough childhood, how he made the grade in the comedy college that was Saturday Night Live, and why even though he may cry a little on the radio, "the funny bus is still sitting downstairs." (Rebroadcast from Oct. 22, 2009)

In times of great danger, some survivors report encountering a phantom presence, which guides them to safety. Writer John Geiger chronicles the phenomenon in his new book, The Third Man Factor: Surviving the Impossible.

President Obama has said health care will top his agenda for the next several weeks in hopes of getting a bill through each house of Congress by the august recess. Although he praised lawmakers Wednesday for moving forward on health care overhaul, there is still a long way to go.

President-elect Barack Obama has named John Podesta, Valerie Jarrett and Pete Rauss co-chairs of his transition team. He has also named William Daley, Carol Browner, Federico Pena and Janet Napolitano to his advisory panel. Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel has been offered the job of White House chief of staff.

Just two weeks into President Obama's administration, Russia is moving to reassert its influence over former Soviet republics in Central Asia. Moscow is pushing military cooperation and offering financial aid in what some say is reminiscent of the Kremlin's client-state relationships during the Cold War.

President Obama took his budget agenda to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to round up skeptical Democrats. He seemed prepared to go along with changes as long as Congress' budget preserves down payments on his grand plan.