Interview with UF President Bernie Machen
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Top Stories from NPR News
U.S. Shed 467,000 Jobs In June
The Labor Department reported Thursday that U.S. businesses shed a bigger-than-expected 467,000 jobs in June. The unemployment rate rose slightly to 9.5 percent, the highest in nearly 26 years. The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 200 points on the news.
Obama Disappointed By Jobs Numbers
President Obama said Thursday he is "deeply concerned" about unemployment. The remarks to The Associated Press came after the Labor Department said U.S. businesses shed 467,000 jobs in June and that the unemployment rate increased to 9.5 percent.
Marines Battles Taliban In Helmand Valley
Thousands of Marines have descended upon the Helmand River valley in Afghanistan, a Taliban stronghold that is known for poppy growing. The Marines plan to stay, one of the first concrete examples of the Obama administration's new strategy for Afghanistan.
Hundreds Of Calif. Homeless March For Land Rights
In Sacramento, hundreds of homeless demonstrate in hopes of securing land to sleep on. In recent months a tent city and a city shelter have closed. With laws that prohibit sleeping in public places, these individuals say it is now illegal for them to exist.
July 4 Becomes Silent Night In Cash-Strapped Places
You may want to double-check before you head out on July 4 for the annual fireworks show. Dozens of towns are canceling their Fourth of July celebrations this year owing to lack of funds.
Politicians Reconsider Drilling Off Florida Coast
For years, oil production has been largely banned in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. In large part, that's because of concerns that a spill could devastate the state's tourism industry. But now, some elected officials seem willing to take another look at offshore drilling after years of opposition.
Saddam's Fear Of Iran Trumped Fear Of U.S.
In a series of interviews between February and June of 2004, the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein told an FBI interrogator that he falsely let the world believe Iraq had weapons of mass destruction because he feared revealing that weakness to Iran.
Serena, Venus Reach Wimbledon Final, Again
One Williams or the other has won seven of the past nine championships at the All England Club. Serena beat Venus in the 2002 and '03 finals here, while Venus came out on top against her younger sister last year.
Military Says U.S. Soldier Captured In Afghanistan
Insurgents have captured an American soldier in eastern Afghanistan, according to U.S. military officials, who did not release details on where he was captured or the circumstances. The news broke as thousands of Marines launched a major anti-Taliban offensive in southern Afghanistan. The missing soldier was not part of that operation.
Q&A: Rising Unemployment Clouds Outlook
The increase in the unemployment rate to a 26-year high of 9.5 percent doesn't bode well for a smooth transition to economic recovery. Economists said they expected to see job losses; however, the 467,000 job cuts in June exceeded the consensus of analysts' projections.
Unemployment Up To 9.5 Percent, A 26-Year High
Payrolls dropped a larger-than-expected 467,000 in June and the unemployment rate rose to 9.5 percent, a 26-year high, the Labor Department said Thursday. Meanwhile, new jobless claims dropped to 614,000 last week, while continuing claims fell unexpectedly.
First U.S. Casualties Reported In Afghanistan Push
At least one Marine has been killed and several others injured as a predawn operation launched Thursday continued in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand province. About 4,000 Marines are setting up positions in a river valley that has been Taliban stronghold. The operation is the first test of the Obama administration's new counter-insurgency strategy.
Employers Cut More Jobs Than Expected In June
The nation's jobless rate is up to a 26-year high of 9.5 percent. The Labor Department says 467,000 jobs were eliminated last month. June's payroll reductions were deeper than the 363,000 that economists expected.
Marine General Takes Fight To The Taliban
Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, a veteran of Iraq, is leading the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade in its fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan. He exhorted his troops in a recent speech to besiege the enemy until the Taliban is dead or surrenders.
Top U.S. Stories from NPR News
N.H. Town Seeks An Identity — And A Slogan
The winner of a contest to come up with a new slogan for Raymond, N.H., will appear on Oprah — except she doesn't know it. Resident Paul Brown came up with the idea for the contest, which is open to anyone and encourages cheating and plagiarism.
From Atop Sears Tower, A Ledge With A View
A new ledge opens at the Sears Tower Skydeck in Chicago. The enclosed glass box extends 4 feet from the building and allows visitors to stare 1,353 feet down to the ground.
Hundreds Of Calif. Homeless March For Land Rights
In Sacramento, hundreds of homeless demonstrate in hopes of securing land to sleep on. In recent months a tent city and a city shelter have closed. With laws that prohibit sleeping in public places, these individuals say it is now illegal for them to exist.
July 4 Becomes Silent Night In Cash-Strapped Places
You may want to double-check before you head out on July 4 for the annual fireworks show. Dozens of towns are canceling their Fourth of July celebrations this year owing to lack of funds.
Politicians Reconsider Drilling Off Florida Coast
For years, oil production has been largely banned in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. In large part, that's because of concerns that a spill could devastate the state's tourism industry. But now, some elected officials seem willing to take another look at offshore drilling after years of opposition.
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough Michael Jackson
It's been a week since Michael Jackson's death at 50 stunned the world. But seven days after the King of Pop stepped off stage and left us behind, it's clear we just can't seem to get enough of him.
Q&A: Rising Unemployment Clouds Outlook
The increase in the unemployment rate to a 26-year high of 9.5 percent doesn't bode well for a smooth transition to economic recovery. Economists said they expected to see job losses; however, the 467,000 job cuts in June exceeded the consensus of analysts' projections.
Communities Cope With The Aftermath Of Violence
In many communities, there's a convenience store where the owner was murdered, or a corner where a woman was attacked. In those places, the aura of past violence hangs like a shroud. Whether the violence is rare or regular, when it happens, it changes the neighborhood.
Unemployment Up To 9.5 Percent, A 26-Year High
Payrolls dropped a larger-than-expected 467,000 in June and the unemployment rate rose to 9.5 percent, a 26-year high, the Labor Department said Thursday. Meanwhile, new jobless claims dropped to 614,000 last week, while continuing claims fell unexpectedly.
Madoff Likely Won't Be Serving Time In 'Club Fed'
A complex point system will partly determine which prison Bernard Madoff, who was sentenced to 150 years, will go to. Because of his long sentence, it is likely that Madoff will never see the minimum security work camps known as "Club Fed."
Employers Cut More Jobs Than Expected In June
The nation's jobless rate is up to a 26-year high of 9.5 percent. The Labor Department says 467,000 jobs were eliminated last month. June's payroll reductions were deeper than the 363,000 that economists expected.
New York's Legislature Grinds To A Halt
In New York's capital Albany, Republicans and Democrats disagree over who is in charge. Three weeks ago, Republicans tried to take over the Senate. That's left neither side with a majority, and no bills are getting passed. Gov. David Patterson has ordered legislators to work over the holiday weekend to try to resolve the crisis.
California To Creditors: I Owe You
Lawmakers in California have failed to pass a stopgap budget. That means the state will begin issuing IOUs on Thursday. The state could issue $3.4 billion in IOUs by the end of July.
New Grads May Have Leg Up On Older Job Seekers
Recent college graduates are finding out that an economic downturn is not the best time to be searching for work. But they do have a leg up on older job hunters: It's a lot easier for a 22-year-old — unburdened by mortgage and kids — to go to where the work is.
Top World Stories from NPR News
Gen. Jones: Afghan Op Meant To Build Confidence
National security adviser Gen. James Jones says the Marine operation in Afghanistan's Helmand Province is designed to bring confidence to the people of the region. He says, however, that Afghans must see their own authorities take charge of the country.
Korean School Preps Students For Ivy League
With admissions getting more competitive every year, spots at top American colleges are becoming a globally coveted commodity. In South Korea, one elite prep school has become the envy of many upper-crust U.S. prep schools with its success.
Marines Battles Taliban In Helmand Valley
Thousands of Marines have descended upon the Helmand River valley in Afghanistan, a Taliban stronghold that is known for poppy growing. The Marines plan to stay, one of the first concrete examples of the Obama administration's new strategy for Afghanistan.
Saddam's Fear Of Iran Trumped Fear Of U.S.
In a series of interviews between February and June of 2004, the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein told an FBI interrogator that he falsely let the world believe Iraq had weapons of mass destruction because he feared revealing that weakness to Iran.
Serena, Venus Reach Wimbledon Final, Again
One Williams or the other has won seven of the past nine championships at the All England Club. Serena beat Venus in the 2002 and '03 finals here, while Venus came out on top against her younger sister last year.
Military Says U.S. Soldier Captured In Afghanistan
Insurgents have captured an American soldier in eastern Afghanistan, according to U.S. military officials, who did not release details on where he was captured or the circumstances. The news broke as thousands of Marines launched a major anti-Taliban offensive in southern Afghanistan. The missing soldier was not part of that operation.
Mother, Son Tell Of Family Life During War
U.S. combat troops have begun to withdraw forces from Iraqi cities, marking a milestone in the six-year long occupation. As the situation in Iraq changes course, a new focus has centered on the social impact of the war efforts in the region. Iraqis Faiza Al-Araji and Raed Jarrar, a mother and son blogging team, explain how the past six years have changed the dynamics of family life in the region. Also, NPR's Ghassan Adnan reports from on the ground from Baghdad.
Debating The Burqa: Sarkozy Proposes Ban
French President Nicolas Sarkozy wants to ban Muslim women from wearing the burqa, a religious traditional covering, in public. American Muslim Mehded Maryam Sinclair explains why she appreciates the right to cover her face and head in public, while Muslim feminist and columnist Mona Eltahawy tells why she sees the garment as a source of oppression.
Roya Hakakian: An Iranian-American Perspective
Author and activist Roya Hakakian offers her take on political upheaval in her native Iran. Hakakian emigrated from Iran to the United States in 1985, seeking political asylum.
First U.S. Casualties Reported In Afghanistan Push
At least one Marine has been killed and several others injured as a predawn operation launched Thursday continued in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand province. About 4,000 Marines are setting up positions in a river valley that has been Taliban stronghold. The operation is the first test of the Obama administration's new counter-insurgency strategy.
Nowrasteh's 'Stoning': A Horror All Too True To Life
The harrowing climax in The Stoning of Soraya M. shows the graphic death of an innocent woman. The film's director and star say the scene — and the story — are tragically real.
U.S. Military Launches 'Strike Of The Sword'
The U.S. military launched a major operation centered in the volatile Helmand River Valley in southern Afghanistan. That's the center of the country's opium-growing region and one of the main strongholds of the Taliban.
Marine General Takes Fight To The Taliban
Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, a veteran of Iraq, is leading the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade in its fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan. He exhorted his troops in a recent speech to besiege the enemy until the Taliban is dead or surrenders.
Government Spending Keeps Abu Dhabi Building
Thanks to heavy public spending, the special traffic lanes reserved for construction vehicles in Abu Dhabi are every bit as crowded as they were before the global financial crisis hit. With oil prices near $70 a barrel, Gulf states are in a relatively strong position to weather the downturn, but analysts warn that more trouble could be ahead.