Politics

Week In Politics: New Presidential Candidates, U.K. Elections

10:38pm May 08, 2015

NPR's Melissa Block speaks with political commentators E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post and Brookings Institution and David Brooks of The New York Times about the 2016 candidates and U.K. elections.

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Attorney General Loretta Lynch, seen here with Baltimore police Commissioner Anthony Batts, met Tuesday with the city's police officers, faith leaders and the family of Freddie Gray.

Justice Dept. Hopes Investigation Will Create A 'Stronger' Baltimore

10:38pm May 08, 2015

by Carrie Johnson

Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced that an investigation into the city's police department will focus on allegations of excessive force, unlawful searches and discriminatory policing.

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A Black Eye, A Middle Finger And Other Tales From A White House Press Secretary

6:09pm May 08, 2015

Former press secretary Dana Perino's new book, And the Good News Is ..., details her time at the White House, including heated moments in the press briefing room.

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Workers unload cargo at the Port of Portland's Terminal 6 in Portland, Ore.

Would More Trade Help The Job Market Run Faster Or Trip It Up?

3:48pm May 08, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

Friday's jobs report showed tepid wage growth in April. Hours after its release, President Obama gave a speech arguing that a new trade deal would strengthen the labor market. Opponents disagree.

The shoe tariff reduction under the Trans-Pacific Partnership would cover only some countries where American shoes are produced. China, the No. 1 producer for the U.S., is not covered by the current TPP proposal.

Would Lower Shoe Tariffs Actually Encourage American Jobs?

3:31pm May 08, 2015

by Scott Horsley

Nike says lower tariffs in a proposed Asia-Pacific trade deal would allow it to support thousands of domestic jobs. But the potential relief is a fraction of current footwear tariffs.

Children attend their oath of U.S. citizenship ceremony at the Birmingham Public Library in Alabama onAug. 14, 2014.

China, India Surpass Mexico As Leading Sources Of New Immigrants To U.S.

3:18pm May 08, 2015

by Richard Gonzales

A surge from Asia and a decline in new arrivals from Mexico change the outlook for U.S. demographics.

State Sens. Warren Limmer (left) and Bill Ingebrigtsen talk in the Senate chamber. Limmer said he has been scolded for looking at his colleagues during debate before, and had "to beg forgiveness to the Senate president."

What Eye Contact — And Dogs — Can Teach Us About Civility In Politics

11:09am May 08, 2015

by Ailsa Chang

Don't look at me! In Minnesota, lawmakers are banned from making eye contact during debate. The idea is it leads to more civility. But does it? And what can animal science teach us about it?

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Politics & Government

Senate OKs Congressional Oversight Of Iran Nuclear Deal

9:47am May 08, 2015

The measure would allow Congress to review and potentially reject a nuclear deal with Iran. Steve Inskeep talks to Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin, ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

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Politics & Government

N.H. Gov. Hassan Unlikely To Back Decriminalizing Small Amount Of Pot

8:22am May 08, 2015

by Josh Rogers

New Hampshire is the only state in New England not to have decriminalized small amounts of marijuana, but a proposal before state lawmakers there could change that.

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Polls Close In Tight British Election, Show Lead For Conservative Party

6:22pm May 07, 2015

by Ari Shapiro

Most analysts are predicting a lead for the Conservatives in Thursday's U.K. general election. But the closeness of the election might leave Britain facing a period of coalition building.

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