U.S.

National

Friend Of Charleston Shooter Pleads Not Guilty To Lying To Investigators

6:10pm September 18, 2015

by Laura Wagner

Joey Meek is charged with concealing information and lying to investigators about his knowledge of Dylann Roof's plans to kill black people at a church in Charleston, S.C.

This 1856 drawing depicts Rep. Preston Brooks of South Carolina beating Sen. Charles Sumner of Massachusetts in one of the bloodiest political fights in history.

Two Political Operatives Walk Into A Bar... And One Throws A Punch

6:09pm September 18, 2015

by Jessica Taylor

Aides for Marco Rubio and Rand Paul's campaign scuffled in a Michigan bar on Thursday. American political history is littered with other similar confrontations.

Rough night? Depending on specific tweaks to their genes, some fruit flies have trouble falling asleep, and others can't stay asleep. Getting too little shut-eye hurts their memory.

How Research On Sleepless Fruit Flies Could Help Human Insomniacs

5:59pm September 18, 2015

by Jon Hamilton

Research on fruit flies with different types of insomnia has revealed the same brain pathways that interfere with sleep in people. The result may be better sleeping pills that don't leave you groggy.

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What Happens When You Get Your Period In Space?

5:58pm September 18, 2015

by Adam Cole

Scientists spent decades arguing that women weren't suited for space travel because of menstruation. Even now, a lot of us are wondering how astronauts manage that time of the month.

Eric Fanning, then the acting secretary of the U.S. Air Force, delivers remarks during a 2013 ceremony at the Pentagon. Fanning has held numerous military posts in the Obama administration.

Obama To Nominate First Openly Gay Military Service Secretary

5:16pm September 18, 2015

by Laura Wagner

Eric Fanning is President Obama's choice to lead the Army, which could make him the first openly gay secretary of one of the military branches.

Coding Class, Then Naptime: Computer Science For The Kindergarten Set

3:58pm September 18, 2015

by Anya Kamenetz

New software introduces programming skills to pre-readers. Is this 21st century literacy? Or too much, too soon?

House Approves Bill To Cease Funding Planned Parenthood

3:44pm September 18, 2015

by Bill Chappell

The bill was adopted by a 241-187 vote; it isn't expected to pass in the Senate.

A young woman holds a placard protesting against controversial military reform bills outside Japan's parliament in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday. Lawmakers passed two measures to expand the role of Japan's military for the first time since World War II.

Japan's Parliament Approves Landmark Laws To Expand Military's Role

3:25pm September 18, 2015

by Scott Neuman

After days of intense debate, the controversial security bills were approved allowing the Self-Defense Forces to be deployed overseas for the first time since World War II.

#NPRreads: Ta-Nehisi Coates' Latest Essay And A Profile Of The 'Anti-Redskin'

3:24pm September 18, 2015

by Tracy Wahl

Also this week: How Iran's supreme leader controlled domestic criticism of the nuclear deal, and the parallel to debate over the deal in the U.S.

People can now contribute to presidential campaigns with just a few taps on a smartphone.

#Cashtag: Twitter To Allow Direct Campaign Contributions

2:51pm September 18, 2015

by Scott Detrow

The announcement is welcome news for political campaigns, which all want to make it as seamless as possible for supporters to turn over their money and personal information.

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