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In 2009, a British man began a quest to visit every country in the world. To make it interesting, he set out to do it without flying — something never done before. This week, after nearly four years of traveling by train, taxi, bus and boat, Graham Hughes accomplished that feat. He filled four full passports, trekking through every nation and disputed state, and ending in South Sudan — a country that didn't exist when he started out.

A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act discriminates by denying federal benefits to gay married couples. The case is likely to end up being decided by the Supreme Court.

The Taliban attack on young Malala Yousafzai had a profound effect on her hometown, Mingora, in Pakistan's picturesque Swat Valley. For the other girls with Malala that day, the scars are both emotional and physical.

Renee Montagne and Steve Inskeep report on a plea from Angus Jones, the young actor on the hit TV show Two and a Half Men. In a video, he implores people to quit watching the show, saying it's at odds with his Christian faith.

The only thing that these books have in common is that NPR's go-to librarian likes them a lot. Nancy Pearl's self-described "higgledy-piggledy" list includes a book of cartoons, a Civil War history, a coming-of-age story, a spy novel and more.

Fernando Lugo Paraguay's ousted president, is seeking to return to office after congress impeached him last week. Some have called it a "parliamentary coup." All Things Considered host Audie Cornish talks with Simon Romero the Brazil bureau Chief for the New York Times for more.

Host Melissa Block talks with NPR's Claudio Sanchez about Tuesday's unanimous vote to reinstate University of Virginia president Teresa Sullivan. The university campus has been in an uproar since members of the university's board of visitors forced Sullivan out in a behind-the-scenes maneuver. Virginia's governor ordered the board to hold a formal vote on whether Sullivan should stay.

Big-time college football is headed for a playoff. On Tuesday, university presidents agreed to a four team playoff system that will result in a national champion, doing away with the BCS. All Things Considered host Melissa Block talks with NPR's Tom Goldman about the move

Inocente has every reason to be dark and grim. The 15-year-old from San Diego has been homeless most of her life. However, the aspiring artist chooses to live a life in full, vibrant color. Audie Cornish speaks with filmmaker Sean Fine about Inocente, the Oscar-nominated short documentary he co-directed with his wife, Andrea Nix Fine.

It all started with mummies and a basketball tournament, depending on whom you ask.