Business

Why high-speed rail has been a tough sell in the United States

5:15am September 05, 2023

NPR's A Martinez talks to Andy Kunz, president and CEO of the U.S. High Speed Rail Association, about the benefits of high-speed rail, and why there aren't any high-speed rail systems in the U.S.

Ernest Hemingway, novelist, is seen at his country home in San Francisco de Paula near Havana, Cuba on Aug. 21, 1950.

Ernest Hemingway survived two plane crashes. His letter from it just sold for $237,055

9:58pm September 04, 2023

by Jennifer Ludden

The novelist and his wife survived successive crashes in Uganda in 1954. In the letter, Hemingway also describes shooting his first lion in Kenya with an old gun "held together with tape."

National

The future of remote work: More companies call for a return to the office

4:49pm September 04, 2023

by Scott Detrow

The pandemic brought about one of the biggest changes to work since the industrial revolution. But now, more and more companies are asking their employees to return to the office.

National

The Verge's Nilay Patel talks Google's legacy and its future on its 25th anniversary

4:41pm September 04, 2023

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks to Nilay Patel, editor-in-chief of The Verge, about Google's 25th anniversary, and how the company's past and current challenges bode for its future.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) listens to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting at Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi, Monday.

World News

Turkey has failed to persuade Russia to rejoin the Ukraine grain deal

4:41pm September 04, 2023

by Charles Maynes

In talks in Sochi, Russia, President Vladimir Putin rejected efforts by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to revive a United Nations-backed deal to allow the safe passage of grain from Ukraine.

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The Williamsport Regional Airport in Montoursville, Pa.

More small airports are being cut off from the air travel network. This is why

1:20pm September 04, 2023

by Adam Bearne

The pilot shortage and changing economics are to blame for legacy airlines departing regional airports

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People hold signs as members of SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America East walk a picket line outside of the HBO/Amazon offices during the National Union Solidarity Day in New York City on Aug. 22, 2023. Labor unions have notched some big victories this year but organized labor still faces an uncertain future.

Economy

4 things to know on Labor Day — from the Hot Labor Summer to the Hollywood strikes

8:20am September 04, 2023

Organized labor has scored some big victories this year, including new contracts at UPS. Can the winning streak continue?

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Hollywood writers and actors have spent months picketing outside studio lots over issues like residual payments and artificial intelligence.

National

Up First briefing: A Labor Day look at union fights, wins and close calls

7:01am September 04, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

It's Labor Day in the U.S. Striking writers and actors have brought Hollywood to a standstill. There's widespread support for unions, especially among Gen Z, yet membership is at an all-time low.

National

Morning news brief

5:54am September 04, 2023

Polls show union support is close to its highest level in more than 50 years. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says he's replacing his defense minister. The leaders of Russia and Turkey are meeting.

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This bar inside Planet Hollywood on the Las Vegas strip has two robots that serve customers drinks. The Tipsy Robot opened a second location on the strip this year.

Economy

Robots are pouring drinks in Vegas. As AI grows, the city's workers brace for change

5:00am September 04, 2023

by Deepa Shivaram

Workers in Las Vegas have been watching automation and technology inch into their workplace. Now with AI, the city is preparing to adapt its service-heavy tourism economy.