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Consumer prices rose just 1.7 percent in 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. That's about half the pace of 2011 — when prices went up 3 percent. A sharp slowing in the increase of gas prices was a major factor. The news means interest rates will likely stay low.

The prime minister proposed spending $2,716 a year on the treat for his household at the same time that his coalition government proposed austerity measures for the country.

Through a lawyer Armstrong said he would be willing to cooperate in an international tribunal but not in "American prosecutions that only demonize selected individuals."

The Syrian National Coalition says it won't attend meetings in Moscow, D.C., and Rome in protest of the continued violence. The announcement comes as fighting in Aleppo intensifies.

A car exploded, killing at least several people and wounding many more, according to news reports. NPR's Deborah Amos, who was at the border crossing, says the blast caused panic.

The Australian company that owns a western Kentucky coal mine will auction off the project next month. The mine is operating under bankruptcy protection…

NPR's Linda Gradstein reports on dwindling support for Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. For nearly thirty years, Arafat was the undisputed leader of the Palestinian people, and when he signed the peace deal with Israel that gave Palestinians control over parts of the West Bank and Gaza, many thought their lives would improve. They're still waiting. A four-month-old Israeli closure of the West Bank and Gaza has severely curtailed economic activity there. Arafat's security forces have cracked down hard on opposition groups and have limited freedom of expression. And the new Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu (n'tahn-YAH-hoo) will soon take office, a man whom many Palestinians fear will stop the peace process cold. These events have left many wondering if Arafat is still the man to lead them, or if his day may have come and gone.

An audio postcard from Rick Karr. He knows it's spring, becasue the road repair cres have emerged from hibernation are are tearing-up the streets of Chicago. (2:00) Funder 0:29 XPromo 0:29 CUTAWAY 1B 0:29 RETURN1 0:29 NEWS 2:59 NEWS 1:59 THEME MUSIC 0:29 1C 6. SECURITY, CHINA AND TAIWAN -- In the first of an occassional series on security issues in Asia, NPR's Julie McCarthy reports that the tensions in the Taiwan Strait raise concerns in the US and much of Asia. China's wargames just miles from Taiwan suggest to some a new militarism, and further tip the balance of US sentiment away from China and toward the tiny island that has emerged from dictatorship to democracy.

NPR's Mara Liasson reports from East Texas, where President Clinton, with a comfortable lead over Bob Dole, has turned his attention to helping fellow Democrats in Congressional races. (3:30) [2] DAN THREE-WAY: Weekend Edition's Daniel Schorr speaks with Morton Kondracke, executive editor of "Roll Call" magazine and Thomas Mann, director of Governmental Studies at the Brookings Institution about the interplay between the 104th congress and the presidential campaign. (7:00) [3] Simon/Metzner: Producer of radio's "Pulse of the Planet," talks about unheralded events taking place in the world right now. (3:45) [cutaway] Simon/Bugs: Scott talks with Mark Hostetler, author of "That Gunk on Your Car" a book to help you identify bugs splattered on your windshield. It is available from his via the internet at >http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~arm/people/hos.html.

NPR's Ted Clark reports that as a result of the US missile attacks on Iraq, President Saddam Hussein has lost some of his air defense capabilities, had his air space further restricted, and lost the prospects of importing much-needed food and medicine supplies for his people. But Saddam Hussein has also scored some important gains, which some analysts believe may well exceed his losses. For in resisting the US, Saddam Hussein has again reasserted Iraqi nationalism, has managed to keep Iranian influence from gaining ground in northern Iraq, and, in fact, seen his lucrative black market in foods and medicines reinforced.