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President Obama's health care overhaul was largely based on one that then-Gov. Mitt Romney signed into law in Massachusetts in 2006. Now, more than 98 percent of state residents have health insurance, and the law has drawn unexpected supporters. But controlling costs remains a challenge.

For some people, getting a good night's sleep seems like an impossibility. A new batch of gadgets and apps tries to help troubled sleepers learn how to get their best rest.

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.

If you listen carefully, you'll catch phrases in Downton Abbey that are ahead of their time. Linguist Ben Zimmer points out snippets of dialogue that Lord Grantham would have been unlikely to say.

Madison Vorva and Rhiannon Tomtishen have been honored by the United Nations with a North American Heroes award. It's given to activists who protect forests. The two girl scouts discovered some orangutan's habitat are being cleared to make palm oil, which is an ingredient in the cookies.

Greece's capital city was in flames Sunday night as thousands of Greeks rioted over proposed austerity measures. Despite the violence, Greek lawmakers signed off on the measures as part of a bailout deal to save the country from a chaotic default. European leaders now need to approve the deal.

A U.S. contractor working to provide Internet service to Cuba's small Jewish community was charged with spying and sentenced to 15 years in a Cuban prison. Alan Gross was reportedly working for the U.S. Agency for International Development.

NPR's top stories include the Greek riots over austerity, the investigation into the Whitney Houston's death and the president's budget announcement.

Egypt is set to start rewriting its constitution in March, a year after the fall of president Hosni Mubarak in February 2011. During a visit to Egypt, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she "would not look to the U.S. Constitution if I were drafting a constitution in the year 2012."

A Grammy-winning pop diva whose voice inspired generations of musicians, Houston died Saturday at 48. Her musical director and friend, Michael Baker — and bass player Matthew Garrison, who played on Houston's final tour — share memories.