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As the violence continues in Syria, International aid agencies say that medical facilities have become a target for government forces. In many cases, doctors on the ground are being forced to treat patients in their own homes, and reaching the wounded has become extremely difficult. Host Scott Simon speaks with Dr. Greg Elder from Doctors Without Borders, who's running that agency's efforts in Syria.

Most of the country is having a mild winter, and that's having a positive impact on cities and towns. Local governments report being able to continue roadwork uninterrupted, and cities that are usually cleaning up after winter storms are saving tens of thousands of dollars.

Joseph Smith Jr. has been chosen to oversee the multibillion-dollar national mortgage settlement announced earlier this week. Smith is described as a man who understands the plight of the homeowner without forgetting what makes a successful banking industry work.

For the month of February, a tiny village south of Madrid is running its economy on pesetas, which hasn't been used since 2002. It's a bit of a gimmick to lure older consumers who have piles of unused currency in their closets to spend it, but it's worked, bringing more trade to to town.

This past week, the White House changed its requirements that faith-based employers include contraceptives in their health insurance plans, after Republicans and some Democrats opposed the policy on religious grounds. Host Rachel Martin talks with NPR's Mara Liasson and Barbara Bradley Hagerty.

NPR Music's Tom Huizenga and host Guy Raz spin an eclectic mix of new classical releases.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was subject to the kind of vitriol we often see directed at Barack Obama today. But some of FDR's opponents didn't stop at talk: a new book details a starting plot to overthrow FDR and replace him with a fascist military government.

Last month, scientists around the world agreed to temporarily halt controversial scientific research with bird flu viruses. Some experts say too little is known about how infectious this virus could be to humans, but other experts think those risks have been blown a bit out of proportion.

The transition of power in China this fall will usher out a generation of engineers and technocrats, and replace them with economists and lawyers who may be less scared of political experimentation. But two distinct factions are emerging, and their biggest challenge will be how to handle changes.

The Obama administration officially lays out its economic blueprint for the next fiscal year on Monday. He'll announce the 2013 budget at Northern Virginia Community College, where he'll push for more investment in community colleges and job training.