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While overall U.S. unemployment has climbed to 6 percent, the jobless rate for blacks is nearly twice as high. Economists say the nation's economy may be improving, but times are still tough for many. NPR's David Molpus reports.

French drivers have some of the worst accident records in Europe, including a distressingly high fatality rate. But a new government campaign against unsafe motorists, led by President Jacques Chirac, appears to be stalled. Nick Spicer reports.

A group of expatriate Iraqis meets in London to make plans for replacing Saddam Hussein's regime. The U.S.-backed meeting is the largest gathering of Iraqi opposition leaders in more than a decade. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

NPR's Emily Harris reports on a campaign against the Americanization of Christmas celebrations in Germany. German children have come to expect a Christmas Eve visit from a gift-bearing character called Christmasman. He looks and acts a lot like Santa. Some Germans, though, are promoting a more traditional gift-giver, St. Nicholas, who helped the poor.

Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) is voted the new leader of the Republican majority once the 108th Congress convenes in two weeks. The heart surgeon was chosen in a highly unusual conference call of most of the 51 Republican senators. NPR's David Welna reports.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar is taking heat for his government's handling of the offshore oil spill -- the nation's worst environmental disaster. Jerome Socolovsky reports that fishermen are furious it took officials so long to organize the cleanup.

A growing impasse between Canada and the United States on the need for a war with Iraq raises deeper questions about joint security arrangements. Canada is a solid supporter of the war on terrorism, but Canadians question the potential military effort to unseat Saddam Hussein. NPR's Jackie Northam reports.

New York City transit officials and union negotiators announce a tentative three-year agreement that will spare the city's seven million subway and bus riders a potentially crippling strike. Cindy Rodriquez of member station WNYC reports.

Year-end workplace bonuses disappear as extra pay is tied more and more to performance and incentive programs. Bosses say they're largely in favor of having more discretion in rewarding employees. NPR's David Molpus reports.

Older Americans are suffering a crisis of confidence in the flagging U.S. economy, fearing the stock market's troubles will erode their lifestyle as retirement years approach. The concerns are detailed in a survey from AARP. NPR's Jack Speer reports.