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The Scottish National Party has pledged to push for a referendum for independence from the United Kingdom if they win a majority in the Scottish Parliament.

The former lead guitarist of the legendary band Guns N' Roses is a musician with a sound and look all his own. After all the success — and vice — Slash says he's still a work in progress.

Tens of thousands of Muslims begin a three-day march to mourn Ayatollah Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim, a revered Iraqi Shiite cleric killed by a car-bomb attack Friday. Al-Hakim, a long-time opponent of Saddam Hussein, was one of more than 100 people killed in the bombing of the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

The venerable New York investment firm Goldman Sachs has a long track record for producing political bigwigs. Treasury Secretary-nominee Henry M. Paulson Jr. has served as both chairman and CEO since 1999. The company boasts a return on equity of upwards of 40 percent.

Accepting the Republican nomination for a second term, President Bush outlines proposals addressing education, health care and other domestic issues, while attacking Sen. John Kerry. But the post-Sept. 11 world and war on terrorism dominate Bush's speech. Hear NPR's Mara Liasson.

Sonia Gandhi, heir to India's Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, gives up her chance to become prime minister, reportedly to protect her Congress Party's new government from attacks over her Italian birth. Manmohan Singh, architect of the country's financial reforms, is now seen as the favorite to become prime minister. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Just a few weeks ago, pollster Bill McInturff characterized the high negative ratings for Congress and the president as "ripples that will take a long time to resolve." Now, with new polling that suggests even deeper voter frustration, he says the political climate is even worse than before.

"This is the final glass ceiling," said Clinton's former thesis adviser. "I'm extremely proud of her." Clinton became the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee on Monday night.

NPR Music celebrates the alt-rock heroes, Hollywood idols, Pulitzer-winning composers, jazz luminaries, cult legends, bold activists, old masters and rising stars the world lost this year.

As wonderful as it is to see 12 Years a Slave's top acting and production talent rewarded for a bracing and informative work, it's worth noting that 2014 was a banner year for films about nonwhite people.