News

Saturn has a rocky surface, but it's deep beneath the clouds. That makes it hard to tell exactly how long the day is.

Science

A Day's A Day The World Around — But Shorter On Saturn

4:38pm April 14, 2015

by Geoff Brumfiel

Researchers have finally determined the length of a day on the ringed planet (gas shrouds any landmarks, so it was tough). Precision matters: A faster spin influences the speed of surface winds.

Queue Listen Now

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's campaign recently leaked claims that the four superPACs backing him would pull in $31 million in the campaign's first week.

Who Needs One SuperPAC When You Can Have Four?

2:59pm April 14, 2015

by Peter Overby

SuperPACs, financed by unlimited but disclosed donations, now appear to be the presidential candidate's new best friend. One backing Marco Rubio is revving up, and Ted Cruz already has four.

Hillary Clinton begins to speak as her husband, former President Bill Clinton, moves to take a seat after introducing her at the Clinton Global Initiative on Sept. 22, 2014, in New York.

'Clintonomics' Ruled The 1990s; 'Hillarynomics' Would Be Different

2:47pm April 14, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

The name "Clinton" remains magic for many Americans who got jobs, bought homes and invested savings in the 1990s. But key elements of "Clintonomics" may not be popular with today's Democratic voters.

The mountain lion known as P-22 is seen in Los Angeles' Griffith Park in November 2014. He hid out for a time in the crawl space of a Los Angeles home.

Mountain Lion That Hid Out Under LA Home Appears To Have Left

2:30pm April 14, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

P-22, as the mountain lion is known, typically lives in Los Angeles' Griffith Park. Attempts to dislodge him from under a home Monday failed.

A pear in a bottle at Westford Hill Distillery's orchard in Ashford, Conn.

Arts

Clear Fruit Brandies Pack An Orchard Into A Bottle

2:26pm April 14, 2015

by Jill Neimark

French-style eaux de vie have made a comeback in the U.S. thanks to the farm-to-table movement. Dozens of distilleries are now crafting dry, fragrant spirits from fruits that might have been wasted.

Hillary Clinton announced her run for the president in a highly produced campaign video.

How Candidates Announce Can Say A Lot About Their Campaigns

1:57pm April 14, 2015

by Brakkton Booker

From a place of significance to what message they want to convey, where and how presidential candidates announce their campaigns matters.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., questions Secretary of State John Kerry on Capitol Hill last month. In an interview with NPR, Rubio reiterated his opposition to President Obama's dealings with Iran and Cuba.

Republicans Are Making Foreign Policy The Obamacare Of The 2016 Election

1:35pm April 14, 2015

by Steve Inskeep

The GOP still has the health care law in its sights, but now it also promises to do away with the president's opening to Cuba and nascent deal on nuclear development with Iran.

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Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott looks during a news conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, last month. Abbott announced Sunday that his government would close a loophole to discourage families from refusing childhood vaccinations.

Australia To Stop Payments To Families Who Refuse Child Vaccinations

1:25pm April 14, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says that starting in 2016, welfare payments and child care rebates will be cut off to families that take a "conscientious objector" exemption to avoid immunizations.

Secretary of State John Kerry and African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma signed an agreement Monday to establish the first Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Africa. The U.S. will provide technical advice and a few staff fo

Disease Detection Gets A Boost With Plans For A CDC In Africa

1:02pm April 14, 2015

by Jim Burress

African health officials are partnering with the U.S. to build a continentwide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The goal is a more rapid response to health emergencies, such as Ebola.

Stefanie and Matthew Hurley and their family look at wreckage after a tornado came through the town of Fairdale, Ill., earlier in the day Thursday.

National

Huge Tornadoes Tear Through Illinois And The Midwest

12:56pm April 14, 2015

by Bill Chappell

A tornado that struck Rochelle, Ill., was so massive and the damage so extensive that in some areas, plows had to push debris off the streets so emergency crews could reach survivors.