U.S.

National

A Medal Of Honor For Former Army Medic Jim McCloughan

8:18am July 31, 2017

by Tom Bowman

Jim McCloughan will be awarded the Medal of Honor on Monday for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War. He is credited with saving 10 soldiers over three days during a 1969 firefight.

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Legislation Would Require Future Presidents-Elect To Release Their Tax Returns

7:20am July 31, 2017

Rep. Mark Sanford, a Republican from South Carolina, says he fears that Donald Trump declining to release his tax returns will set a bad precedent for future candidates.

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The tasty, frozen treats of summer can lose some of their appeal if they cause your brain to interpret that big gulp as pain.

Why We All Scream When We Get Ice Cream Brain Freeze

7:00am July 31, 2017

by Ashlie Stevens

When temperatures soar, there's nothing like a frozen treat to take off the edge. But if we dive in too fast, our brains are thrown for a distressing and sometimes painful loop. Here's why.

More women and minorities are taking AP computer science

Tens Of Thousands More Women And Minorities Are Taking Computer Science

6:11am July 31, 2017

by Anya Kamenetz

The Advanced Placement program has scored a win for diversity with the help of Silicon Valley.

U.S. Condemns Venezuela Vote As 'Sham Election'

5:43am July 31, 2017

Violence has broken out in Venezuela as people went to the polls to vote on a new constitutional assembly endowing President Nicolas Maduro's ruling socialist party with virtually unlimited powers. Electoral authorities say 8 million people participated, while opposition leaders claim that number is much lower. The U.S. has joined other nations saying it won't recognize the results. U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley tweeted, the "sham election is another step toward dictatorship."

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National

Does The State Department Need So Many Special Envoys?

5:43am July 31, 2017

While President Trump has just named Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback as a special ambassador for religious freedom, many diplomatic special envoy posts remain unfilled. Steve Inskeep talks to retired ambassador Ronald Neumann about such posts.

A U.S.-Russia Low Point After U.S. Diplomats Expelled

5:43am July 31, 2017

The former diplomat who coordinated U.S. sanctions against Russia weighs in on the current low point in U.S.-Russia relations after the Kremlin orders more than 700 U.S. diplomats to leave the country and seizes diplomatic properties.

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A Hospital CEO Watches Washington Struggle Over Health Care

5:43am July 31, 2017

As a provider of both a health care and insurance, Northwell Health has a huge stake in what health care legislation Congress proposes. CEO Michael Dowling says it's time for Democrats and health care professionals to come to the table.

Morning News Brief: A New White House Chief Of Staff, Russia Expels U.S. Diplomats

5:21am July 31, 2017

by Tamara Keith

President Trump's new chief of staff is sworn in today, Russia expels hundreds of American diplomats and Venezuelans vote on their country's future.

Arizona Republican Hopes Senators Can Work Together On Health Care

5:21am July 31, 2017

Sen. Jeff Flake says he hopes for bipartisan cooperation on health care after last week's failure to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.