South African regulators have given Wal-Mart approval to buy a controlling stake in retailer Massmart. Liabo Setho, a business reporter for the South African Broadcasting Corporation, tells Renee Montagne there had been huge opposition to the deal from trade unions, suppliers and industry groups.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney today formally gets into the GOP race for the White House. Mary Louise Kelly talks to NPR national political correspondent Mara Liasson, who brings us up to date on the field of candidates so far.
Shareholders of Massey Energy and Alpha Natural Resources have approved a merger that creates the world's third largest producer of high-priced and high-demand metallurgical coal. Massey became a takeover target after last year's deadly explosion at the company's Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia.
Mary Louise Kelly and Renee Montagne report on the findings of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, a group of politicians and former world leaders, who concluded that the global war on drugs has failed.
A controversial dam in the heart of Brazil's Amazon has moved one step closer to construction. Environmentalists say it will devastate the ecosystem and force tens of thousands of people to relocate. Brazilian authorities say they need the energy for the growing nation.
The Obama administration says it will support leniency for people already behind bars for crack cocaine offenses. The proposal could send thousands of federal inmates home early. This is a major civil rights issue since law disproportionately affects minorities.
Increased fighting has been reported in the capital of Yemen. Renee Montagne talks to Les Campbell of the National Democratic Institute about the situation in Yemen.
