Morning Edition on WFAE

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told business leaders the Pentagon is developing capabilities to ward off attacks on the nation's infrastructure. He says foreign actors have already probed key systems that could cause damage and even death — and the Pentagon has a key role to play in stopping such efforts.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded its Peace Prize to the European Union — a decision that came as a surprise to many. The committee said it was an award that was long overdue, considering the E.U.'s role in advancing peace since World War II.

A majority-Islamist assembly is drafting Egypt's new constitution, and controversy has broken out over the article on women's rights. The draft article guarantees equality between men and women, but only if it does not contradict the rules of Islamic law. Though the previous constitution made reference to Islamic law, many women are worried about what this language — under an Islamist president — will mean for them.

Vice President Joe Biden and GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan engaged in a memorable and highly combative debate Thursday night in Danville, Kentucky. It's the only time the two men, who occupy the second spots on their party's presidential tickets, will square off before the election.

The Pew Research Center surveyed about 1,000 Americans to find out how they watch the presidential debates. Eleven percent watched on two screens — on a computer or mobile device and on TV. The numbers are higher among younger viewers.

Gangnam Style is, among other things, a high-tech, sophisticated export.

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

In 1967, Roy Bates made himself prince of Sealand, an old British fort on a platform off the coast of England. Nevermind it was the size of a McMansion, Prince Roy ruled Sealand for four decades. Roy Bates died this week at 91.

Presidential polls are starting to shift to show the race between President Obama and GOP rival Mitt Romney tightening even further, and in some cases, Romney is ahead for the first time. Steve Inskeep talks to David Axelrod, Obama's senior campaign adviser, about the shifts in the race, and the president's strategy with less than a month to go before the election.