Accessibility links
U.S. News and National Top Stories NPR coverage of national news, U.S. politics, elections, business, arts, culture, health and science, and technology. Subscribe to the NPR Nation RSS feed.

National

Monday

Books

Other Cultures, 'In Other Words'

Every language has words that express unique ideas — words that just don't translate very well into English. At the same time, those can be the exact ideas that tell us the most about another culture. Author Christopher J. Moore discusses these concepts and his new book In Other Words.

Other Cultures, 'In Other Words'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4516411/4516412" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Milwaukee Police Officers Charged in Man's Beating

Felony charges have been filed against three white Milwaukee police officers for their alleged roles in beating of a black man at a party last fall. The police officers were off-duty and attending the party at the time of the alleged attack.

Milwaukee Police Officers Charged in Man's Beating

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4516902/4516903" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Padilla Must Be Charged or Released, Judge Rules

A federal judge rules that the government must either charge Jose Padilla with a crime or release him. The Bush administration has been holding Padilla as an enemy combatant since 2002.

Padilla Must Be Charged or Released, Judge Rules

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4517341/4517342" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Business

Federated Buys Department Store Rival May

The merger of Federated and May will bring together well-known department stores such as Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor and Marshall Field's under one corporate roof. But the new company faces formidable obstacles, ranging from the power of Wal-Mart to the waning influence of department stores in general.

Federated Buys Department Store Rival May

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4516899/4516900" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Law

Opening Arguments Begin in Jackson Case

Opening arguments begin in the child molestation case against Michael Jackson. The prosecution accuses Jackson of exposing a 13-year old boy to "strange sexual behavior." Jackson's attorneys counter that the boy's family is only after money and has no credibility.

Opening Arguments Begin in Jackson Case

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4516905/4516906" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

World

U.S. Considers Incentives to Combat Iran Nuclear Production

The Bush administration is weighing the possibility of offering Iran incentives to continue negotiating with Europeans, who have been attempting to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

U.S. Considers Incentives to Combat Iran Nuclear Production

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4516890/4516891" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Environment

Pacific Lumber Seeks Right to Cut More Redwoods

One of Northern California's oldest and most controversial timber companies says it needs permission to harvest more of its ancient redwoods. Pacific Lumber Company says its fate rests with its ability to cut more trees, but critics say the company's proposal threatens the local environment.

Pacific Lumber Seeks Right to Cut More Redwoods

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4516875/4516876" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Politics

Texas Candidates Sue DeLay PAC over Campaign Contributions

A civil trial begins in Austin, Texas, involving a political action committee associated with House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Five defeated Democrats allege that illegal corporate campaign contributions were funneled by DeLay to Republican opponents.

Texas Candidates Sue DeLay PAC over Campaign Contributions

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4515891/4515892" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Movies

'Million Dollar' Night for Eastwood, Swank, Freeman

At the 77th annual Academy Awards, director Martin Scorsese's The Aviator won the most Oscars -- five, but Clint Eastwood's film Million Dollar Baby took prizes for best picture, best director, best supporting actor, Morgan Freeman, and best actress, Hilary Swank. Jamie Foxx won the Oscar as best actor for his portrayal of Ray Charles in Ray.

'Million Dollar' Night for Eastwood, Swank, Freeman

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4515903/4515904" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Law

High Court Considers Disability Access on Cruise Ships

Are cruise ships legally required to be accessible to physically disabled passengers? The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in a case testing whether the federal Americans with Disabilities Act applies to foreign-registered cruise ships that dock in the United States.

High Court Considers Disability Access on Cruise Ships

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4515894/4515895" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Technology

Internet Downloads Revive the Concept of Hit Singles

Some recording industry observers say the Internet is reviving the sale of hit singles. Others say the future of hit singles depends on whether the music industry can convince fans to pay for what they download.

Internet Downloads Revive the Concept of Hit Singles

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4515882/4515883" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Business

Retailer Federated to Buy Rival May for $11 Billion

Federated Department Stores plans to acquire May Department Stores for more than $11 billion in cash and stock. Federated owns Macy's and Bloomingdale's among other retail chains. May operates Lord & Taylor, Marshall Field's and others. The combined company will have about 1,000 stores and nearly $30 billion in annual sales.

Retailer Federated to Buy Rival May for $11 Billion

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4515879/4515880" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Your Money

Senate Debates Bankruptcy Restrictions

The U.S. Senate begins debate on changes to consumer bankruptcy laws. Business groups started trying eight years ago to put new restrictions on bankruptcy filings by consumers. The number of filings was soaring at the time. More recently, they've declined, but the plan remains a Republican priority.

Senate Debates Bankruptcy Restrictions

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4515876/4515877" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">