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In 1887, Julius Petri invented a simple pair of nesting glass dishes, ideal for keeping specimens of growing bacteria sterile--the 'Petri dish.' Science historian Howard Markel recounts the history of this ubiquitous lab supply, and the serendipitous discovery of the stuff in it, agar.

Russia's prime minister finds himself in the unusual position of being on the defensive after protests claiming widespread fraud in recent parliamentary elections. But a definat Putin spent more than four hours Thursday responding to critics on a TV call-in show.

Nearly nine years after U.S. forces stormed into Iraq, American involvement in the war ends with a flag-lowering ceremony attended by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Only a few thousand U.S. troops remain, and they are to leave within days.

All I want for Christmas is some toffee and navel oranges. Dry-aged steaks wouldn't be bad, either. NPR's science desk denizens share the mail-order foods they'd be happy to see land on the doorstep this week, from traditional to outrageous.

Revolution and tourism don't mix. Just ask the Egyptians. The tourism industry is crucial for Egypt's economic well-being, but foreigners have been staying away since the upheaval in February that ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

As a Tea Party freshman, Rep. Billy Long is one of the most conservative House members. But he represents Joplin, Mo., a city devastated by a powerful tornado — and helped by millions of dollars of federal relief spending.

In Libya, refugees are streaming out of Sirte, the last major town still in the hands of forces loyal to ousted dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Cut off from the rest of the country, without electricity, many knew nothing of recent rebel advances, including the fall of the capital, Tripoli.

They're engineers. They're interested in rock-climbing. They don't mind being uncomfortable. And they've been dangling from the sides of the 555-foot Washington Monument.

Two years ago, the Obama Administration secretly authorized the sale of 55 deep-penetrating bombs — or bunker busters — to Israel. That's according to an investigation by Newsweek magazine. The bombs could potentially be used in Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear sites. Weekends on All Things Considered host Guy Raz talks with Eli Lake, the reporter who broke the story.

Five presidential candidates appeared at the opening day of the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C., on Friday, but the speech getting the most attention was one by a pastor from Dallas who introduced Texas Gov. Rick Perry.