News

Retail sales fell 1.2 percent in December, the most in nine years. The drop cut into forecasts for economic growth.

Americans Tightened Their Belts And It Might Hurt Economic Numbers Important To Trump

5:46pm February 14, 2019

by Scott Horsley

What started off as a strong holiday shopping season ended with a whimper, as December retail sales posted the sharpest drop in nine years. That could mean GDP growth will miss the president's target.

Health staff prepare a cholera treatment tent in September 2018. The country's health system lacks the capacity to contain diseases like cholera.

The Heartbreaking Plight Of Zimbabwe's Doctors

5:25pm February 14, 2019

by Tendai Marima

Inflation in Zimbabwe is sky-high — marked by ill-equipped hospitals and long lines for fuel. NPR talks with two doctors who say they don't have the supplies to keep patients, and themselves, safe.

Taxpayers faced with smaller refunds or higher taxes have been airing their grievances online.

Anger, Confusion Over Dwindling Refunds. Is Trump's Tax Plan To Blame?

5:18pm February 14, 2019

by Daniella Cheslow

Tax refunds so far have been smaller than last year's. Some taxpayers kept a bigger share of their income, but for others it reflects an overhaul that rewarded high earners the most.

The Academy Awards will have four award categories not aired live in the broadcast this year, which is drawing criticism from members of the movie industry.

Arts

Academy Defends Decision Not To Present 4 Awards Live

5:10pm February 14, 2019

by Merrit Kennedy

Some Hollywood luminaries have criticized truncating the broadcast of awards for best cinematography, film editing, live action short, and makeup and hairstyling. Some parts will be shown later.

Marine guards at the Sept. 11, 2017, flag ceremony in the U.S. Embassy compound in Kabul, Afghanistan. An internal State Dept. memo says it is the largest U.S. embassy in the world.

National

U.S. Looking To Reduce Kabul Embassy Staff As Afghanistan Mission Changes

4:53pm February 14, 2019

by Tom Bowman

An internal memo says the embassy has grown to an "extraordinary footprint" and it is time to "ensure our Embassy is right-sized for the long-term."

Queue Listen Now

Education

Federal Watchdog Issues Scathing Report On Ed Department's Handling Of Student Loans

4:53pm February 14, 2019

by Cory Turner

The department's own inspector general says student loan companies aren't following the rules, and that the government isn't doing enough to hold them accountable.

Queue Listen Now

Then-Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe appears on Capitol Hill in May 2017. In a new interview, he describes his actions in the days following the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

CBS: Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe Feared Cover-Up Of Russia Probe

4:52pm February 14, 2019

by Philip Ewing

The ex-acting director of the bureau said he wanted to get the counterintelligence and obstruction inquiries on "solid ground" before a potential replacement could try to wash them away.

The markhor, pictured above, is a species of wild goat found in Pakistan as well as places like Afghanistan, Tajikistan and the Himalayas.

A U.S. Hunter Paid $110,000 To Shoot A Pakistani Goat

4:42pm February 14, 2019

by Marc Silver

A trophy hunting program aims to protect the national animal, a goat called the markhor. Local social media was full of protests. But there's another side to the story.

With a large field of candidates expected, the Democratic National Committee is laying out how it will accommodate candidates for presidential debates.

Politics & Government

Initial Democratic Primary Debates Will Accommodate Up To 20 Candidates

4:31pm February 14, 2019

by Asma Khalid

The DNC plans to host 12 sanctioned debates during the 2020 primary cycle. The first one will be in June on back-to-back weekday nights. The format changes follow criticism from the 2016 campaign.

A man runs along the waterfront in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City, which had been the planned location for a secondary Amazon headquarters.

Amazon Drops Plans For New York Headquarters

4:24pm February 14, 2019

by Alina Selyukh

An Amazon spokeswoman told NPR that this decision is not reversible, and the company plans no further negotiations. The company will not search for a new HQ location.