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The controversial new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has been keeping a low profile in New York. Analysts weigh in on the prospects for Bolton, a ferocious critic of the U.N., to become an effective U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

For nearly a year, Syria's government has sustained a violent crackdown against opposition protesters. The international community has struggled to agree on a unified response, and on Saturday, the latest effort to bring pressure on Syria's leaders fell apart. Host Rachel Martin talks with NPR's Kelly McEvers, who is monitoring developments in Syria.

For more on the challenges of supporting internally displaced persons in Iraq, Robert Siegel speaks with Kieran Dwyer, the spokesman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Dwyer responds to criticisms of the U.N. agencies trying to help.

U.N. weapons inspectors wrap up their first field mission in Iraq after a four-year hiatus. The inspectors examined two sites near Baghdad, looking for evidence of banned weapons of mass destruction. The U.S. has warned Iraq's Saddam Hussein it will disarm Iraq by force if the inspections fail. NPR's Bob Edwards speaks with Washington Post reporter Chandrasekaran in Baghdad about the first day of U.N. weapons inspections.

Imported from Europe, the custom of leaving gratuities began spreading in the U.S. post-Civil War. It was loathed as a master-serf custom that degraded America's democratic, anti-aristocratic ethic.

A delegation from the U.N. has returned from Bangladesh and Myanmar where they were looking into the persecution of the Rohingya people. Steve Inskeep speaks with Human Rights Watch's Kenneth Roth.

Also: Afghanistan's leader calls for unconditional talks with the Taliban; Southern California officials fear mudslides and call evacuations ahead of a storm; and Barbra Streisand clones her dog.

Also: A Saudi coalition will ease a blockade on Yemen; U.S. Democrats attend the climate summit in Germany; and a federal jury resumes work in the conspiracy trial of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ).

Also: Workers' riot shuts down Foxconn plant in China; Libya moves to disband rogue groups; search is suspended for mountain climbers caught in Nepal avalanche; Homeland and Modern Family are big winners at Emmy Awards.

Also: Economic growth revised downward; U.S. issues report on attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers; more accusations of sexual abuse leveled at former Philadelphia Daily News sports columnist.