U.S.

The sun sets on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol building ahead of inauguration ceremonies for President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday.

What To Expect For Donald Trump's Inauguration

7:28pm January 19, 2017

Friday, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of a polarized United States. His inaugural address, expected in the middle of a full day of events, could have far-reaching consequences.

National

Asian Americans Divided Over Band's Trademark Battle

7:25pm January 19, 2017

by Kat Chow

The Slants want to register its name, arguing they are reappropriating a slur against Asians. But some Asian Americans are conflicted about whether it is worth opening trademark law to disparagement.

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White Sox Prospect Michael Kopech Throws 110-MPH Fastball

7:25pm January 19, 2017

On Tuesday, a tweet surfaced showing White Sox prospect Michael Kopech throwing a 110 mph fastball. Although not thrown in a traditional setting, the video has turned heads in the baseball world. NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Jonathan Hock, director of the documentary, Fastball, about the pitch and its history.

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Trump Treasury Nominee Defends Role In Foreclosure Crisis

7:25pm January 19, 2017

by John Ydstie

Steven Mnuchin, Donald Trump's pick for treasury secretary, said the bank he ran did what it could to minimize foreclosures during the financial crisis. He also defended his use of offshore accounts for hedge fund clients, while acknowledging the need to close loopholes. Mnuchin also told lawmakers he thinks the Internal Revenue Service needs a bigger staff and better technology.

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The Trump International Hotel in Washington, which the president-elect and his spokesman promoted Thursday.

Trump Talks Up His Luxury Hotel; Ethics Expert Pounces

6:38pm January 19, 2017

by Jackie Northam

The president-elect went to his new luxury hotel in Washington on the day before his inauguration. He called his property "gorgeous." An ethics expert warned against coming ethical violations.

'The Atlantic' Writer Argues Obama Confronted Pitfalls Of Fact-Based Foreign Policy

6:33pm January 19, 2017

The Obama foreign policy team was built around expert knowledge about international situations and cerebral policies on projecting American power. Shadi Hamid of the Brookings Institution writes in The Atlantic that deep knowledge and optimism were no match for real life conflicts like the war in Syria.

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New York Jets owner Woody Johnson speaks during a press conference in April at the team's practice facility in New Jersey.

Another Campaign Donor Gets A Top Ambassadorship, But That's Par For The Course

6:30pm January 19, 2017

by Domenico Montanaro

Donald Trump named New York Jets owner Woody Johnson to be ambassador to the U.K. It's a post traditionally reserved for big donors. Obama even named another NFL owner to a different ambassadorship.

Trump Prepares To Take Office Under Appearances Of Unpredictability

6:25pm January 19, 2017

by Mara Liasson

Donald Trump takes office with a populist approach to domestic policy and an isolationist approach to foreign policy.

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American Airstrikes Destroy Group Of ISIS Military Camps In Libya

6:25pm January 19, 2017

by David Welna

American B-2 stealth bombers destroyed a nest of ISIS military camps in Libya late Wednesday, the Pentagon said. It's the latest in a long series of American airstrikes designed to set back the progress of the terror group's efforts to spread from its home base in Iraq and Syria. Libya has been in chaos since U.S. and European militaries helped depose its onetime ruler without replacing him with a viable new government.

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Trump transition spokesman Sean Spicer says important national security and economic appointees from Obama administration will stay on for now.

Some Obama Appointees Staying On For Now, Trump Team Says

5:58pm January 19, 2017

by Brian Naylor

Those named are in important national security and economic positions, transition spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters on Thursday.