News

ANA soldiers plot coordinates on a map with the help of their American trainers.

From Front-Line Soldier To Trainer, An Afghan Odyssey

3:55pm July 05, 2013

by Tom Bowman

Sgt. Chris Cunningham has served five tours in Afghanistan, surviving some of the past decade's most horrific fighting. These days, his excitement about war has been replaced by a grim wisdom — and the heavy responsibility of teaching Afghan soldiers and honoring fallen comrades.

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Skyscrapers in the City of London, the heart of the financial district, are reshaping the skyline.

Are Things Too Cozy In London's 'City' Within A City?

2:33pm July 05, 2013

by Dan Bobkoff

If you think that government and the financial industry are a bit too friendly in the U.S., try England. London's version of Wall Street is called the City. And in the City, the line between government and corporate interests gets even blurrier. Critics say it's time for change.

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National Security Agency headquarters at Fort Meade, Md.

National

NSA's Reach Leads To Calls For Updated Eavesdropping Laws

10:18am July 05, 2013

by Tom Bowman

The nation's largest intelligence agency has seen its power — and abilities — greatly expand over the past decade. Both privacy advocates and security experts agree that the laws governing electronic eavesdropping have not kept pace with technology.

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Advocates for Common Core standards say it will be harder for states to hide their failing schools.

Education Reform Movement Learns Lesson From Old Standards

10:08am July 05, 2013

by Cory Turner

Under the No Child Left Behind law, states saw low test scores and the lowering of score standards. Advocates for the more rigorous Common Core standards say it will be harder for states to hide their failing schools.

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The Bizzaro brothers — James, 81 (left) and Paul, 82 — spent their childhoods living in a house right behind the Statue of Liberty.

Two Brothers Remember Lives Spent With Liberty

4:51am July 05, 2013

by NPR Staff

Paul and James Bizzaro spent their childhoods living in a house right behind the Statue of Liberty. Their family moved to Liberty Island 75 years ago, not long after their father became a guard at the statue. Lady Liberty was their playground. And their father kept her torch lit for 36 years.

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Mary Ann Rollings (from left), Gloria Kelley and Linda Lee Stacy were bursting in red, white and blue as they turned out to hear their beloved Boston Pops.

National

Stars, Spangles And Lots Of Security At Boston's July 4 Events

1:43pm July 04, 2013

by Tovia Smith

This year has been anything but routine in Boston, after the deadly marathon bombings and the chaotic manhunt. But tonight, the traditional July Fourth show will go on as the Boston Pops performs amid bursts of fireworks. While the music and pyrotechnics will be familiar, the scene and mood are different.

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"Liver buds" grow in petri dishes. The rudimentary organs are about 5 mm wide, or half the height of a classic Lego block.

Scientists Grow A Simple, Human Liver In A Petri Dish

9:48am July 04, 2013

The tiny organs created from stem cells aren't complete, but they act like regular livers when transplanted into mice, Japanese scientists say. Still, it will be years before the synthetic organs could help people with liver problems, even if further research all works out as hoped.

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Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas delivers remarks during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting to work on the immigration legislation in May.

Immigration Debate In Congress Riles Up Texas Republicans

9:48am July 04, 2013

by David Welna

In a state with a fast-growing Latino population, the fight over immigration is especially relevant. There's scant backing for the Senate's immigration bill among Texas Republicans in Washington, but some Texans say those lawmakers are "behind the curve."

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Row 1: Maryam Saif, Austin, Texas; Michael Dubberly, Savannah, Ga.; Nadine Pourier-Blumenshine, Fresno, Calif. Row 2: Timothy Jon Eaton, Kingsport, Tenn.; Kara Milton, Greensboro, N.C.; Thomas Horsley, Boston.

National

The Declaration: What Does Independence Mean To You?

9:48am July 04, 2013

by NPR Staff

We ask visitors on the National Mall about independence and they tell us about the freedoms that are the most important to them.

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Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been under fire for working with the government on a number of issues. Here, she meets in March with protesters who oppose a copper mine backed by Chinese investors. She supports the mining project.

World News

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi Walks Fine Line In Her New Role

10:26pm July 03, 2013

by Anthony Kuhn

The Myanmar opposition leader is being criticized for cooperating with the former military rulers who kept her under house arrest for nearly two decades. But supporters say she is trying to show she has what it takes to lead the nation.

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