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Engineers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing the ultimate in automotive sophistication: the driverless car. When NPR's Brian Naylor went there to check it out, he thought he'd be going for a spin on a test track. Instead, the car drove itself through suburbia.

American citizen Kenneth Bae has spent nearly 10 months imprisoned in North Korea. That's longer than any other American held there in recent years. Bae was recently moved to a hospital for ailments related to diabetes, an enlarged heart and liver problems. Bae's family says the situation is more urgent than ever.

More than 1,300 people with red hair gathered in Portland, Oregon, over the weekend, which the city hopes is a new world record. To qualify, participants had to produce pictures of their younger selves and their naturally red hair.

Fears are growing that the country may be headed toward civil war. The interim government and the military leaders who ousted President Mohammed Morsi have been cracking down on his supporters. Hundreds have died and thousands have been wounded. Twenty-five off-duty police officers were killed Monday.

David Miranda, a Brazilian and journalist Glenn Greenwald's longtime partner in a civil union, was questioned by British authorities at Heathrow Airport for nine hours on Sunday. They also seized a laptop and other electronic gear. Greenwald is one of the journalists to whom Edward Snowden leaked secrets.

Egypt's former president still faces a retrial for the killing of protesters during the 2011 Arab Spring. But his lawyer and a court official are telling news outlets that Mubarak may be released in the meantime. Meanwhile, newly ousted President Mohammed Morsi continues to be held.

China is believed to have executed about 3,000 people in 2012 — a 75 percent decline from a decade ago. Amnesty International says the "overall trend globally is towards abolition" of the death penalty.

Knell joined NPR in December 2011. He came after the resignation of Vivian Schiller, who left after two high-profile controversies. Now he's moving to National Geographic for what he says is an opportunity "I could not turn down."

The task force said the construction needs to withstand storms made stronger by climate change. It also recommends new standards for flood protection.

The World Humanitarian Day campaign is designed to let people support the ideas they feel the world needs most. It began five years ago, when the United Nations set aside Aug. 19 to remember the world's aid workers.