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Linda Wertheimer speaks with Tim Wirth, Undersecretary for Global Affair at the State Department, about the decision to put environmental issues at the top of the department's diplomatic agenda. Wirth says that cleaning up the environment and controlling population growth around the world are prudent political and economic policies.

NPR's Mike Shuster reports on today's staff shake-up at the U.N. War Crimes Tribunal on Rwanda. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan fired two top tribunal officials following a U.N. report that the court was riddled with mismanagement and financial waste.

NPR's Ted Clark reports that the Clinton administration is under pressure to "decertify" Mexico's anti-narcotics program because of alleged links between drug traffickers and Mexico's top narcotics officials. The President must make a decision by Saturday. Congress requires yearly certification as a condition for continuing U.S. financial aid.

As Secretary of State, Retired General Colin Powell will shift from being an advocate for the military to becoming the nation's top diplomat. NPR's Tom Gjelten looks at Powell's past recommendations as one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff about military intervention in hot spots around the world.

Commentator Marion Winik has thoughts on those traditional holiday letters so many people feel they must write at this time of year, and a few suggestions. For instance, drop the "Dear Everyone" and replace it with a real headline. Instead of anecdotes, try one good paragraph. Maybe include a top ten list or a haiku.

These days we live in informal times. First names are in, and formal titles are going the way of the top hat. Commentator Elissa Ely isn't sure she likes the change.

NPR's Guy Raz in Berlin reports on the growing popularity of Germany's ruling coalition of Social Democrats and Greens. Even though the Greens are the junior partner in the coalition, the party has managed to make the environment a top policy priority.

NPR's John Ydstie reports from Washington, where the World Bank and International Monetary Fund are holding their spring meetings this weekend. Global growth tops their agenda, and ministers say prospects for the future are good.

The Break Bakers Build Team USA has won the top prize at the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, a grueling Olympic-style competition held in Paris every three years.

In Fremont, Calif., immigrant students are earning top grades, and their affluent parents are threatening to create their own school in order to keep standards high. Hear NPR's Claudio Sanchez.