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Terry Branstad served more than 22 non-consecutive years as governor of Iowa, helping shift the state's politics to the right. Now he heads to China to steward a delicate diplomatic relationship.

Michael Moore's documentary about President Bush's war on terror -- Fahrenheit 9/11 -- has won the Palme d'Or, top prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The politically charged film explores the links between the Bush family and Saudi Arabia. Hear NPR's Linda Wertheimer and Los Angeles Times film critic Ken Turan.

Ten of Wall Street's top brokerage firms agree to pay fines of about $1.5 billion to settle conflict-of-interest allegations. The firms were accused of misleading investors with bad research, and have agreed to changes in their research divisions. Hear NPR's Jim Zarroli, NPR's Michele Norris and Columbia University law professor John Coffee.

President Barack Obama's choice to lead the National Intelligence Council has withdrawn his agreement to serve in that position. Chas Freeman, a veteran diplomat, has accused those who opposed his selection for the job of attacking him with lies.

Commentator Bill Langworthy helps to get his nephew, Thomas, into a highly competitive Manhattan pre-school.

NPR Music's pop critic, Ann Powers, says each of her favorite albums of 2014 gave her new tools to cope with and learn from the world around her, even as that world crashed in from outside.

A new book explores California's giant redwoods — some of the largest living organisms in the world. Devoted naturalists are climbing to the treetops to learn more about the "green ocean" overhead in the redwood canopies.

The hearing, when rescheduled, could conclude its presentations of investigative findings before a final report due later this year.

Also: Iran stops the official search for earthquake survivors; Native American women seek justice in sexual assault cases; and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky) returns to work after being badly beaten.

Steve Inskeep talks to NPR's Rob Schmitz about how China is enforcing U.N. sanctions against North Korea. He also talks to analyst Tong Zhao about whether China is doing enough to contain North Korea.