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Steve Inskeep Steve Inskeep is a host of NPR's Morning Edition and Up First.
Steve Inskeep, photographed for NPR, 13 May 2019, in Washington DC.
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Steve Inskeep

Mine Safety In America

Mine Owner, Safety Agency Face Federal Inquiry

The Mine Safety and Health Administration is the subject of a federal criminal investigation following the explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia three weeks ago. The FBI is also looking into Massey Energy, the owner of the mine.

Mine Owner, Safety Agency Face Federal Inquiry

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Gulf Oil Spill: Containment And Clean Up

Louisiana's Gulf Coast Braces For Oil's Arrival

Oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico is very close the coastline of Louisiana. The Coast Guard and other emergency responders are gathering in five areas along the Gulf Coast to try to protect land and wildlife. One fisherman says "Katrina ain't nothing compared to what's going to happen with this oil."

Louisiana's Gulf Coast Braces For Oil's Arrival

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Gulf Oil Spill: Containment And Clean Up

Gulf Oil Spill Estimate Rises; Landfall Anticipated

Government officials said Thursday that a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is worse than previously believed. A drilling rig exploded and sank off the Louisiana coast April 20, leaving 11 workers missing and presumed dead. The wreckage may be spewing 5,000 barrels a day instead of the 1,000 previously estimated.

Gulf Oil Spill Estimate Rises; Landfall Anticipated

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Europe

Noriega Arrives In France To Face Charges

The U.S. has extradited former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega to France, where he faces money laundering charges. Noriega was ousted as Panama's leader and put on trial following a 1989 U.S. military invasion. He was convicted of drug racketeering and related charges in 1992, and had been held in a federal prison in Florida.

Noriega Arrives In France To Face Charges

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Business

Senate Panel To Hear From Goldman Sachs Executives

Goldman Sachs executives face a Senate panel that's looking at the causes of the financial crisis Tuesday. Subcommittee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin accuses the company of profiting from the crisis, even as it sold some of the risky investments that brought on the collapse. The Securities and Exchange Commission recently filed fraud charges against Goldman. At issue is whether Goldman mislead investors.

Senate Panel To Hear From Goldman Sachs Executives

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Obituaries

Samaranch, 89, Reshaped Face Of Modern Olympics

Former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch died Wednesday at age 89. The Spaniard is being remembered as the man who shaped the face of the modern Olympic movement.

Samaranch, 89, Reshaped Face Of Modern Olympics

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Iceland's Volcanic Eruption And Its Aftermath

European Flights Resume But Backlog Remains

Roughly half the scheduled flights in Europe are expected to take off Tuesday. But some airports are still closed, and European officials are keeping a wary eye on the Icelandic volcano that's been pushing ash their way for nearly a week now.

European Flights Resume But Backlog Remains

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Business

Goldman Sachs Announces Earnings Amid Scrutiny

Wall Street investment giant Goldman Sachs reported Tuesday that its first-quarter earnings almost doubled to $3.3 billion — as its trading business again surpassed the rest of the financial industry. On Friday, the SEC announced civil fraud charges against Goldman over how it packaged and sold one of its subprime mortgage investments.

Goldman Sachs Announces Earnings Amid Scrutiny

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Analysis

Debate Heats Up On Financial Overhaul Bill

President Obama is expected to continue pushing hard the need for changes to the way financial institutions are regulated. Over the weekend, debate over the regulatory overhaul bill ratcheted up. On Saturday, Obama said every day we don't act on financial changes, the same system that required bailouts remains.

Debate Heats Up On Financial Overhaul Bill

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Asia

Relief Workers In China Dig For Quake Victims

Rescue crews and heavy equipment are moving into a remote area of western China that suffered from a devastating series of earthquakes Wednesday. While more than 600 people have died, hundreds have been pulled from the rubble.

Relief Workers In China Dig For Quake Victims

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Asia

Earthquake In Western China Kills Hundreds

A strong earthquake struck a far western Tibetan area of China Wednesday. Hundreds of people were killed and thousands injured. Officials say many structures collapsed trapping victims. Rescue efforts are hampered by damaged roads and lack of power.

Earthquake In Western China Kills Hundreds

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Business

Probe: Fraudulent Mortgages Brought Down WaMu

The former CEO of the failed Washington Mutual Bank is among those scheduled to testify at a Senate subcommittee hearing Tuesday. Senate investigators turned up high rates of fraud at WAMU, especially at two offices in Southern California. Among other things, they say WAMU's pay structure rewarded loan officers for churning out high interest rate loans.

Probe: Fraudulent Mortgages Brought Down WaMu

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National

Conditions Thwart Rescue Attempts In W.Va. Mine

Rescue crews at a West Virginia coal mine are hoping to find four missing miners alive. The teams went down into the mine early Friday but had to be pulled out because of difficult conditions. Nitrogen is being pumped in to help flush out toxic gases. It's been more than three days since an explosion rocked the mine, killing at least 25 men.

Conditions Thwart Rescue Attempts In W.Va. Mine

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Asia

Geithner's China Visit May Narrow Currency Difference

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is in Beijing for talks about economic affairs. Thursday's visit is being interpreted as a sign that the U.S. and China are resolving their contentious dispute over China's currency and that Beijing might allow the yuan to rise against the dollar, as the U.S. has requested.

Geithner's China Visit May Narrow Currency Difference

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National

Rescue Teams Get Go-Ahead To Enter Mine

Authorities say air quality is good enough to allow crews to search for four men missing in a West Virginia coal mine for more than two days since a blast killed 25 miners. Hopes are slim that anyone could still be alive.

Rescue Teams Get Go-Ahead To Enter Mine

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