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Ian MacKaye is known as a punk rock veteran, the guitarist and vocalist who founded the seminal band Minor Threat in the early '80s. But his most recent album, the self-titled debut of his new band The Evens, is lilting melody.

Former prosecutor Jeff Chamberlain gave up his briefcase five years ago for a life in baseball. He shares stories of his new life as an umpire in a semi-pro league.

On Saturday, finance ministers from eight of the world's wealthiest nations formally agreed to cancel the debt owed to international agencies by 18 of the world's poorest countries -- most of them in Africa. The total owed by those nations is at least $40 billion. Salih Booker, executive director of the advocacy group Africa Action, describes the ways the debt-relief deal may help the continent's neediest citizens.

First Lady Laura Bush spent three days on the West Coast this week, promoting her initiative to help America's youth -- in particular, America's young men. NPR's David Greene has this report of Mrs. Bush's trip.

John Thune, the freshman senator from South Dakota became a hero in the Republican Party last year when he toppled Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle. Thune said that, as an ally of President Bush, he would make things happen for South Dakotans. But the Pentagon's decision to close Ellsworth Air Force Base has put him on the defensive.

It might surprise you to learn that a Los Angeles rabbi, Yaacov Deyo, invented Speed Dating -- a rapid-fire courtship concept in which singles spend just a few minutes getting to know each other. It started as a way to help Jewish singles meet each other, but it's spread beyond the Jewish community.

The Washington Nationals play their home opener Thursday night at RFK Stadium. It will be the first regular season pro baseball game in the nation's capital in 34 years. Melissa Block talks with Tom Boswell of the Washington Post.

Marking the 140th anniversary of the death of President Abraham Lincoln, Liane Hansen visits Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. That's where the president was struck down by actor and assassin John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer.

President Bush focused on his proposals for reforming Social Security during a trip to Rochester, N.Y., Tuesday. The president has worked to distance himself from events on Capitol Hill, including the recent filibuster battle.

As a new, more restrictive bankruptcy bill comes closer to becoming law, our commentator points out there are other ways Congress could reduce individual bankruptcy filings. Capping interest rates, a health insurance overhaul and better consumer education could also have an effect. Liz Pulliam Weston is a personal finance adviser and author of the book Your Credit Score.