U.S. News and National Top Stories : NPR

Padilla Must Be Charged or Released, Judge Rules

February 28, 2005 • A federal judge rules that the government must either charge Jose Padilla with a crime or release him. The Bush administration has been holding Padilla as an enemy combatant since 2002.

Padilla Must Be Charged or Released, Judge Rules

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Opinion

Justice Talking

'Justice Talking:' Special Prosecutors

February 28, 2005 • Margot Adler moderates a discussion between Ken Starr, dean of the Pepperdine University School of Law, who served as independent counsel during the Clinton administration, and author John Dean, former counsel to President Richard Nixon during Watergate.

Law

Opening Arguments Begin in Jackson Case

February 28, 2005 • Opening arguments begin in the child molestation case against Michael Jackson. The prosecution accuses Jackson of exposing a 13-year old boy to "strange sexual behavior." Jackson's attorneys counter that the boy's family is only after money and has no credibility.

Opening Arguments Begin in Jackson Case

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Milwaukee Police Officers Charged in Man's Beating

February 28, 2005 • Felony charges have been filed against three white Milwaukee police officers for their alleged roles in beating of a black man at a party last fall. The police officers were off-duty and attending the party at the time of the alleged attack.

Milwaukee Police Officers Charged in Man's Beating

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Business

Federated Buys Department Store Rival May

February 28, 2005 • The merger of Federated and May will bring together well-known department stores such as Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor and Marshall Field's under one corporate roof. But the new company faces formidable obstacles, ranging from the power of Wal-Mart to the waning influence of department stores in general.

Federated Buys Department Store Rival May

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World

U.S. Considers Incentives to Combat Iran Nuclear Production

February 28, 2005 • The Bush administration is weighing the possibility of offering Iran incentives to continue negotiating with Europeans, who have been attempting to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

U.S. Considers Incentives to Combat Iran Nuclear Production

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77th Annual Academy Awards

Documentarian Briski Discusses Oscar Win

February 28, 2005 • Melissa Block talks with Zana Briski, who made the documentary film Born into Brothels with Ross Kauffman. Born Into Brothels won the Academy Award Sunday night for best documentary.

Documentarian Briski Discusses Oscar Win

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Opinion

A Winter Lament from the Central Plains

February 28, 2005 • Our commentator says the good people of Kansas have always had to put up with their share of terrible weather, without getting any credit for it.

A Winter Lament from the Central Plains

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Environment

Pacific Lumber Seeks Right to Cut More Redwoods

February 28, 2005 • One of Northern California's oldest and most controversial timber companies says it needs permission to harvest more of its ancient redwoods. Pacific Lumber Company says its fate rests with its ability to cut more trees, but critics say the company's proposal threatens the local environment.

Pacific Lumber Seeks Right to Cut More Redwoods

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Law

High Court Weighs Cruise-Ship Disability Access

February 28, 2005 • A case before the Supreme Court tests whether foreign-flag cruise ships operating in U.S. waters must comply with federal disability access law.

High Court Weighs Cruise-Ship Disability Access

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Environment

Biologists Train Dog to Hunt Everglades Python

February 28, 2005 • Biologists are training a beagle dubbed Python Pete to catch Burmese pythons in Everglades National Park before they eat native wildlife. The snakes are the progeny of pets dumped there by their owners.

Biologists Train Dog to Hunt Everglades Python

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Books

Other Cultures, 'In Other Words'

February 28, 2005 • Every language has words that express unique ideas — words that just don't translate very well into English. At the same time, those can be the exact ideas that tell us the most about another culture. Author Christopher J. Moore discusses these concepts and his new book In Other Words.

Other Cultures, 'In Other Words'

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Religion

Bible Study Program Divides Rural VA Town

February 28, 2005 • Religion in schools has one Virginia community divided. Eric Niiler reports from the rural town of Staunton on the community's decision to keep a supplemental and voluntary Bible study program. The program is offered off-campus, but happens during the school day.

Bible Study Program Divides Rural VA Town

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The Michael Jackson Trial

Jackson's Child Molestation Trial Gets Underway

February 28, 2005 • NPR's Alex Chadwick talks with NPR's Carrie Kahn about the commencement of the trial of pop icon Michael Jackson on child molestation charges.

Jackson's Child Molestation Trial Gets Underway

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Movies

'Million Dollar' Night for Eastwood, Swank, Freeman

February 28, 2005 • At the 77th annual Academy Awards, director Martin Scorsese's The Aviator won the most Oscars -- five, but Clint Eastwood's film Million Dollar Baby took prizes for best picture, best director, best supporting actor, Morgan Freeman, and best actress, Hilary Swank. Jamie Foxx won the Oscar as best actor for his portrayal of Ray Charles in Ray.

'Million Dollar' Night for Eastwood, Swank, Freeman

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