The Olympic flame arrives in France from Greece ahead of the Summer Olympics
France has officially welcomed the Olympic flame in a ceremony in the southern port city of Marseille. The event featured fighter jets and fireworks, and some 200,000 spectators.
Pets Feel The Love On Valentine's Day
The National Retail Federation says Americans will spend more than $800 million on gifts for their pets from heart-shaped treats to heart-healthy vitamins.
Olympic Athlete Charged With Girlfriend's Murder
Oscar Pistorius has been charged with murder after his girlfriend was shot dead Thursday at his home in South Africa. Pistorius is the sprinter and double-amputee known as "Blade Runner."
Obama Tries To Move Spotlight Off Deficit Reduction
Preschool is just one example of the ways in which President Obama says government can play a constructive role in the economy. He's trying to reorient the debate in Washington from deficit reduction alone to wise investment.
Clashes Mark Bahrain's 2nd Anniversary Of Uprising
Thursday is the second anniversary of the uprising in Bahrain where tens of thousands took to the streets to demand political changes and greater equality for the island kingdom's Shiite majority. The uprising was put down by security forces aided by troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The government and opposition leaders have begun a dialogue but violence continue, especially in the Shiite towns and cities outside the capital, Manama.
Sen. Rubio Parched By State Of The Union Response
Republican Senator Marco Rubio delivered the Republican reply to the State of the Union. He needed a drink of water but the bottle was out of reach. While his speech was being broadcast, the senator ducked down, reached off screen, found the bottle, sipped it and resumed. Twitter went crazy.
Banks Called On To Distribute Foreclosure Settlement
The government money is from that recent settlement with big banks over their questionable foreclosure practices. Regulators think having the banks do it could help speed up the process. Housing advocates tell The New York Times that the banks will take shortcuts.
Sewage Plant Offers Valentine's Day Tour
For hipsters in a Brooklyn neighborhood, it can be tough to get a spot on a romantic tour of a sewage treatment plant. New York's Department of Environmental Protection says this Valentine's Day it had to add an extra tour of the plant because two had filled up quickly.
Close Read: Reviewing State Of The Union Address
Morning Edition's Steve Inskeep and NPR reporters give a "close read" of President Obama's State of the Union speech. In some cases they are checking facts. In others, they are asking what some parts of the speech really mean.