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In his first major policy speech, the defense secretary said the Pentagon is at war with itself: There are competing and spiraling costs within the military — for aging weapons, and for health and pension benefits for military personnel and retirees. He added that U.S. military power must be used judiciously, with a keen appreciation of its limits.

Cairo is negotiating with the International Monetary Fund for a $4.8 billion loan to help pull Egypt out of its deep economic crisis. The government subsidizes wheat and fuel but is running out of money to purchase these crucial imports, and Egyptians are feeling the pinch.

Also: Mark Twain's advice to little girls; Benjamin Lytal on Vladimir Nabokov; and author and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala has died.

Two white supremacist prison gangs have fallen under suspicion in recent high-profile slayings in Colorado and Texas. Experts say prison gangs of all races and ethnicities have evolved in recent years to include more activity outside the walls.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is poised to become the nation's first official state microbe. Oregon is grateful, very grateful, for all the yeast has done for the state's booming craft beer industry.

Springtime means bug time. Michael Raupp, professor of entomology at the University of Maryland, has the story of a big brood of cicadas that is set to emerge up and down the East Coast. We can also expect the largest infestation of stink bugs this year. USDA entomologist Tracy Leskey talks about the bugs with guest host Jacki Lyden.

The EPA is proposing regulations for lower-sulfur gasoline. It says that will reduce smog — leading to reductions in illnesses and death related to dirty air. Some GOP lawmakers oppose the rules because the price of a gallon of gas would rise — some experts say by a penny, others by more.

It was a busy week in the debate over gay marriage, with two Supreme Court cases and a number of members of Congress moving from opposition to endorsement. NPR's Nina Totenberg and NPR political editor Ron Elving join host Scott Simon for a recap.

Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice was fired for abusive actions towards players on the practice court. Did he go too far, or should people toughen up? Host Michel Martin asks the Barbershop guys for their take.

Pope Francis ordered his staff to promote measures that protect minors above all. A leading victim advocacy group dismissed the pope's call, saying, "actions speak louder than words."