Politics

Japan's Lower House Approves Changes To Military Powers

7:55pm July 16, 2015

The lower house of Japan's parliament passed legislation Thursday giving the country's military limited powers to participate in armed conflicts. NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with Sheila A. Smith, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, about what this decision means.

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'I Always Believed' Justice System Would Change, Says Prisoner Granted Clemency

7:55pm July 16, 2015

NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Antwon Rogers and his attorney, Jeff Lazarus. Rogers' life sentence was commuted earlier this year by President Obama.

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President Obama toured the El Reno Federal Correctional Institution in Oklahoma on Thursday and met with six inmates.

Obama Visits Federal Prison, A First For A Sitting President

6:30pm July 16, 2015

by Scott Horsley

"These are young people who made mistakes that aren't that different than the mistakes I made and the mistakes that a lot of you guys made," Obama said after meeting with inmates in Oklahoma City.

Chinese Authorites Detain Nearly 150 Human Rights Lawyers

6:26pm July 16, 2015

by Anthony Kuhn

State media are accusing the lawyers of stirring up opposition to the government. Activists are calling for President Obama to cancel President Xi Jinping's visit to Washington, D.C., in September.

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Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos attends a session of Parliament in Athens on Wednesday as lawmakers prepared to vote on reforms demanded by eurozone creditors in exchange for a new bailout.

Beyond A Bailout: Greece Needs Debt Relief, IMF Says

5:03pm July 16, 2015

by Jim Zarroli

Greece is so saddled with debt it probably can't turn its economy around for years, the International Monetary Fund says. But writing down debt would require an OK from Germany, which has opposed it.

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U.S. Energy Secretary: Deal Keeps Iran Further Away From A Nuclear Weapon

3:48pm July 16, 2015

NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz about the Iran nuclear deal. Secretary Moniz was an important player in the negotiations.

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Wisconsin's Supreme Court has found that Gov. Scott Walker's campaign had not illegally collaborated with outside conservative groups three years ago.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Ends A Political Headache For Walker

2:26pm July 16, 2015

by Jessica Taylor

The court found Gov. Scott Walker's campaign had not illegally collaborated with outside conservative groups three years ago, sparing him a political headache just as he launches his White House bid.

Obama Sees Long Legacy For Iran Deal; GOP's 2016 Candidates Want It Gone

2:20pm July 16, 2015

by Tamara Keith

In touting Tuesday's Iran accord, President Obama said it would lend strength to future U.S. presidents. But several Republicans vying to be next in the Oval Office strongly disagreed with the deal.

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Sen. Lindsey Graham: Nuclear Deal With Iran 'Has To Include Their Behavior'

11:01pm July 15, 2015

NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham about the Iran nuclear agreement. He says a deal should have been contingent on Iran changing its behavior toward its neighbors.

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Greek Parliament Passes Austerity Measures To Move Forward With Bailout

9:25pm July 15, 2015

by Joanna Kakissis

The Greek parliament passed the austerity bill needed as a first step to open new bailout negotiations with European leaders. Protesters rallied outside parliament throughout the debate.

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