NPR News

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The History Behind America's Most Secretive Court
The revelations this week of surveillance of phone traffic by the NSA is the latest episode in the history of America's most secret court. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court was created to address surveillance abuses revealed in the 1970s. Civil liberties groups complain the court is not providing enough protection against unwarranted surveillance.
Intelligence Community Mines Phone Records, Internet Data
Over the past two days, there have been revelations about the way the National Security Agency is gathering information for intelligence. While details of both programs are still coming out, the data collection practice appears to be legal. But it could be the beginning of something new in the intelligence community. And that is, the use of data to find patterns analysts might have missed.
Har Mar Superstar Channels Motown In 'Lady, You Shot Me'
Linda Wertheimer introduces listeners to Andrea Swensson of Minnesota Public Radio, and her pick for June's installment of Heavy Rotation: Har Mar Superstar's "Lady, You Shot Me." The musician's real name is Sean Tillman and he's from just south of the Twin Cities.
City Workers Help Ducks Walk To Water
Syracuse city worker Gary Clifford saw a mother duck leading a dozen little ones down a busy street. He followed in his truck, stopping traffic along the way. Until they walked across a storm drain and four ducklings fell in. Syracuse.com reports a city crew was called in and took the feathered family to a creek.
Former Mass. Chief Justice On Life, Liberty And Gay Marriage
With its upcoming decisions on same-sex marriage, the U.S. Supreme Court faces the same question that Margaret Marshall faced a decade ago as Massachusetts' chief justice. Marshall says she had little idea that the decision she wrote legalizing gay marriage would be groundbreaking.
Diners drinking raki, a traditional Turkish alcoholic drink flavored with an...
Not Everyone Cheers Turkey's Move To Tighten Alcohol Rules
Among the many reasons for ongoing riots in Turkey: A recent law restricting the advertising and sale of alcohol. Secular Turks see the new rules as the latest effort by the ruling AK Party to impose religious values on the population.