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

Wednesday

Black Child Poverty Report

A study shows the number of black children living in extreme poverty is at its highest since 1980. The study, released by the Children's Defense Fund, says the number of impoverished children rose dramatically in 2000 to nearly a million children. NPR's Melissa Block talks with Marian Wright Edelman, Children's Defense Fund president.

Black Child Poverty Report

Listen · 4:35
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1248303/1248304" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Report: Sharing of Terrorism Data Remains a Problem

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, "information sharing" is a mantra of federal agencies focused on homeland defense. But a report says agencies are struggling to manage data such as terrorism "watch lists" meant for distribution to police and airlines. State and local police say they're still having trouble getting the information. NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

Report: Sharing of Terrorism Data Remains a Problem

Listen · 3:22
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1248291/1248292" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Justices OK Detentions for Criminal Immigrants

A sharply divided Supreme Court upholds a 1996 law requiring that legal immigrants who have criminal records be detained while awaiting deportation hearings, even in cases where the government concedes there is no risk of flight from justice or of a danger posed to society. Hear NPR's Nina Totenberg.

Justices OK Detentions for Criminal Immigrants

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1247703/1247704" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Business

Market Slowly Rebounds, But Some Still Wary

The stock market makes a modest comeback since U.S. forces topple Saddam Hussein's regime. Consumer confidence shows its largest jump in 12 years, and companies in the S&P 500 index release strong quarterly reports. But some analysts urge caution, pointing to rising unemployment and overall uncertainty about the economy. Hear NPR's Chris Arnold.

Market Slowly Rebounds, But Some Still Wary

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1247695/1247696" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

World

Powell: France Should Face Consequences for Antiwar Stance

At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Secretary of State Colin Powell calls France's opposition to the war in Iraq "very much regretful" and that the country should face consequences. Meanwhile, some lawmakers propose continued boycotts of French goods and a halt to French food services company Sodexho's contract with the Pentagon. Hear NPR's Andrea Seabrook.

Powell: France Should Face Consequences for Antiwar Stance

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1247689/1247690" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Tuesday

Business

Tobacco Companies Sue California for Anti-Smoking Ads

Tobacco giants RJ Reynolds and Lorillard sue the state of California in federal court, alleging the state's anti-smoking TV commercials unfairly "vilify" their executives and taint potential jury pools in tobacco cases. Hear NPR's Ina Jaffe.

Tobacco Companies Sue California for Anti-Smoking Ads

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1246747/1246748" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Business

Michigan Town Braces for Possible Pfizer Layoffs

Kalamazoo, Mich., braces for the possibility of massive layoffs at Pfizer Inc. as the drug company prepares to announce organizational and structural changes. One official says the move would create challenges for the city, which has relied on the pharmaceutical industry for more than a century. Hear Gordon Evans of WMUK.

Michigan Town Braces for Possible Pfizer Layoffs

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1246755/1246756" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Business

Wall Street Settlement

Federal regulators complete details of a $1.4 billion settlement with 10 Wall Street firms accused of misleading investors with questionable stock recommendations. In addition to the penalties, the brokerages will also alter research practices. Hear NPR's Scott Horsley.

Wall Street Settlement

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1246741/1246742" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Monday

Feds Justify Detainment of Guantanamo Prisoners

The federal government defends using the Guantanamo Bay naval base to hold and interrogate suspected Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters. Recently officials showed reporters what it calls improved conditions under which the prisoners are being held. But human rights groups and international law experts continue questioning the detainees' lack of fundamental rights. NPR's Gerry Hadden reports.

Feds Justify Detainment of Guantanamo Prisoners

Listen · 6:24
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1246333/1246334" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Iranian Monster.com Users Claim Discrimination

The online job search company Monster.com angers some Iranian-Americans who say they're discriminated against by a new policy. Monster says it's trying to comply with federal law that limits trading with some countries, by refusing to allow users from those countries to say where they are. NPR's Greg Allen reports.

Iranian Monster.com Users Claim Discrimination

Listen · 3:26
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1246331/1246332" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Frist's Challenge: Mending GOP Fences

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist makes efforts to improve relations with fellow Republicans on Capitol Hill. Many conservatives in the House and Senate feel betrayed that Frist signed on to a deal reducing President Bush's tax cut to $350 billion. NPR's David Welna reports.

Frist's Challenge: Mending GOP Fences

Listen · 5:02
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1246319/1246320" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">