5:07am

Fri May 17, 2013
Business

Obama Names OMB Controller As Acting IRS Commissioner

Originally published on Fri May 17, 2013 5:25 am

On Thursday, President Obama named Daniel Werfel, 42, acting IRS commissioner. The announcement comes a day after the resignation of Steven Miller, who got caught up in the controversy over the IRS targeting Tea Party groups.

5:07am

Fri May 17, 2013
Commentary

Kiss In 'Bombay Talkies' Breaks New Ground In Bollywood

Originally published on Fri May 17, 2013 6:31 am

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Indian cinema, four famous Bollywood directors have made an anthology movie, Bombay Talkies. Commentator Sandip Roy says one of the shorts is pretty revolutionary because it has a gay protagonist, and what is probably Bollywood's first gay kiss.

5:07am

Fri May 17, 2013
Afghanistan

Select Young Afghans Chosen As Commandoes In Training

Originally published on Fri May 17, 2013 5:57 am

From the Afghan capital Kabul, Morning Edition's Renee Montagne talks to Gen, Joseph Dunford, the commander of all U.S. and international forces there. They discuss the challenges of the current situation on the ground, and look ahead to the withdrawal of NATO combat troops in 2014.

3:06am

Fri May 17, 2013
StoryCorps

A Gift Of Life And Friendship After A Family's Loss

Originally published on Fri May 17, 2013 5:14 am

Today, Rick Bounds is a 58-year-old triathlete, with four competitions and a 100-mile bike ride to his credit.

But six years ago, he was diagnosed with a nonhepatitis liver disease. Rick's doctors told him that if he didn't have an immediate kidney and liver transplant, he would die.

He was given eight months to live and told that his chances of getting organs were slim.

'No Hope'

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3:04am

Fri May 17, 2013
Planet Money

Why Is There An Ammunition Shortage In The U.S.?

Originally published on Fri May 17, 2013 10:04 pm

Credit Marianne McCune / NPR

Sales of guns and ammunition rose after President Obama took office in 2008, and they went through the roof starting late last year, when a school shooting led to a push for new gun control measures. That's led to a prolonged ammunition shortage, even with manufacturers running at full capacity.

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3:03am

Fri May 17, 2013
Politics

AP Case Adds To Obama Team's Tough Record On Leaks

Originally published on Fri May 17, 2013 9:34 am

Credit Mark Wilson / Getty Images

President Obama had a reputation when he took office as a liberal former constitutional lawyer who had condemned Bush-era national security policies.

But he has proven to be even tougher than President George W. Bush on prosecuting national security leaks. The seizure of Associated Press phone records is just the latest example.

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3:02am

Fri May 17, 2013
Politics

LA Mayor Candidates Try To Persuade Voters To Pay Attention

Originally published on Fri May 17, 2013 5:14 am

Credit AP

The candidates have spent a record amount of money. They've stumped hard in a city that isn't easy to campaign in — 470 square miles sliced up into neighborhoods divided by a web of freeways.

Yet despite nearly $20 million in spending in the March primary alone, turnout is expected to be low next Tuesday in Los Angeles when voters go to the polls to pick a new mayor to replace the term-limited Antonio Villaraigosa.

As a result, City Councilman Eric Garcetti and his opponent, City Controller Wendy Greuel, are engaged in an all-out blitz for votes across the sprawling city.

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3:00am

Fri May 17, 2013
Parallels

Are Buddhist Monks Involved In Myanmar's Violence?

Originally published on Fri May 17, 2013 10:05 pm

Credit Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP

In the Western stereotype, Buddhists are meditating pacifists who strive to keep their distance from worldly passions. But last month, more than 40 people were killed in fighting between Buddhists and Muslims in the central Burmese town of Meiktila. Witnesses say some Buddhist monks joined in the violence, while others tried to stop it.

One prominent monk in particular has been blamed for being behind it.

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2:03am

Fri May 17, 2013
Music Interviews

Sam Amidon: Reshaping An American Folk Tradition

Originally published on Fri May 17, 2013 9:55 am

Credit Courtesy of the artist

7:32pm

Thu May 16, 2013
The Two-Way

Bipartisan House Group Says It's Reached Immigration Deal

Originally published on Thu May 16, 2013 7:53 pm

Credit Cliff Owen / AP

Members of a bipartisan group of House lawmakers say they've overcome disagreements and have reached a tentative deal to overhaul the nation's immigration system.

Eight Democratic and Republican House members left a two-hour closed-door meeting Thursday evening, saying they would be working on drafting the measure, The Associated Press reports.

"We have an agreement in principle. We're now going to work on finishing up the drafting of the bill," said Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, a member of the group.

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