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Bananas are the most popular fruit in America, and demand is growing worldwide, too. But growing bananas requires a lot of pesticides. And a new study shows that some of those chemicals are ending up in caimans living downstream from banana plantations in Costa Rica, where many of the bananas that Americans eat are grown.

Russia is preparing for the 2014 Winter Games — turning a sleepy valley in the Northern Caucasus Mountains into an Olympic village, with brand-new facilities for every Alpine sport. Officials say it will be a world-class destination for winter-sports enthusiasts long after the Games are over. Environmentalists say it's an ecological disaster in the making.

Disgusted by reports that members of the Australian Army emailed videos and pictures that degrade women, the service's leader says its time to change. "If you're not up to it, find something else to do with your life," Lt. Gen. David Morrison says.

The city of London boasts centuries of architectural history. But a building boom is threatening the city's traditionally low-rise aesthetic and the views of some of that history. Critics — including UNESCO — are very worried about London's changing skyline.

David Greene speaks with NPR's Don Gonyea, Scott Horsley and Brian Naylor about The Des Moines Register's Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. The three reporters are riding in the event, also known as RAGBRAI, to explore the Iowa they didn't see on the presidential campaign trail.

It's a mobile gadget lover's dream week. Nokia, Microsoft and Google's Motorola introduce new smartphones. Amazon will show off a new Kindle. And all these companies are positioning themselves in advance of Apple's new iPhone 5, which comes out next week.

The U.S. and several governments worldwide have expelled Syrian diplomats in a coordinated protest against last weekend's massacre of more than 100 civilians in the village of Houla. The diplomatic fallout has spread to California, where Syrian Consul General Hazem Chehabi announced his resignation from the post. For more on his decision, Renee Montagne talks to Chehabi.

The ongoing European debt crisis is expected to pose major challenges to the next U.S. administration.

The White House and FBI have confirmed al-Qaida attempted to target a plane bound for the United States. All indications are the plan was conceived by al-Qaida's arm in Yemen. But officials say the plot was foiled before it was any threat to the public.

Just a week after President Obama announced a significant policy shift on immigration, Latino leaders from across the country gathered in Orlando. Both Obama and his GOP rival for the White House, Mitt Romney, addressed the group this week, as NPR's Scott Horlsey reports.