Major deal wipes out $30 billion in medical debt. Even backers say it's not enough
Undue Medical Debt is retiring unpaid medical bills for 20 million people. The debt trading company that owned them is leaving the market.
Texas Town Staggered By Massive Explosion
When volunteer firefighters in the city of West, Texas, about 20 miles north of Waco, arrived to battle a fire at a fertilizer plant, they encountered a disaster in the making. Steve Inskeep and David Greene have more details on the explosion that followed Wednesday night.
Eyewitnesses To Texas Explosion Describe The Scene
David Greene has an eyewitness account of Wednesday night's explosion at a fertilizer plant near Waco, Texas. West resident Julia Zahirniak and her son Anthony, who were across the street at West Intermediate School when the plant exploded, spoke with NPR's John Burnett.
Police Say Fires Burning But Under Control After Texas Blast
David Greene has the latest on Wednesday night's explosion at a fertilizer plant near Waco, Texas, where at least five people are dead and more than 100 were injured.
South Korean Public Broadcaster Bans Psy Video
In the video, Psy dances up the street and kicking an orange cone that reads "no parking." State-funded KBS says abusing public property does not meet its standards.
App Helps Icelanders Avoid Dating Family
Dating can be tough in a small country like Iceland. There are only 320,00 people and many are distant relatives. So the government created a genealogy website.
Despite Flaws, Harvard Economists Stand By Research
At what point does debt start to drag down an economy? Harvard economists Carmen Reinhart and Ken Rogoff have argued that a debt to GDP ratio of 90 percent is a red line of sorts. That idea is under attack with economists from the University of Massachusetts charging that Rogoff and Reinhart used selective data to make their case.
Napster Billionaire Spends Big On Upcoming Wedding
Sean Parker, the founder of Napster, committed $10 million to the event. It will feature waterfalls, bridges and ancient ruins created for the occasion. Guests will wear outfits created by the costume designer from Lord of the Rings.
Resignation Letter Is Good Enough To Eat
Chris Holmes worked at a London airport, but his true love was always making cakes. So Holmes decided to quit his job to run his own bake shop. He wrote his resignation letter with icing on a cake.
Adding Security Along Marathons Would Be Herculean Task
Marathons are among the most open sporting events. Crowds can press right up against the route as runners wind there way through city streets. But two explosions at the Boston Marathon have raised questions about whether that openness can last.
FBI Encourages Public To Turn Over What They May Know
The Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston office Rick DesLauriers hopes someone, somewhere heard something that will point to a suspect in the Boston Marathon attack. Three people were killed Monday in the attack.
The Pitch For More No. 42s
There's more buzz than usual this year around baseball legend Jackie Robinson, who made his major league debut on April 15, 1947. But commentator Frank Deford says there isn't enough buzz in college athletics to help shape the Robinsons of the future.