NPR News

The new pope is known for his appeal to the common man, but appears to hold many of the same conservative views as his predecessor.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

White smoke emerged from a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel signaling the selection of a new pope.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Decades after its eradication, the "breakbone fever" has become endemic again in the Florida Keys. Scientists say that Floridians infected during a recent outbreak didn't catch the virus abroad but rather got a dengue strain that's unique to Key West.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

The survey doesn't just pose a simple yes or no question on whether the Scouts should lift its ban on gay members and leaders. Instead it seeks answers using detailed hypotheticals.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

On the second day of their conclave, 115 Roman Catholic cardinals settled on their selection. Now, the new pontiff faces the challenge of leading a church that is confronting many challenges. His chosen name honors a saint known for works of mercy and a simple lifestyle.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

The prince's dream of reintroducing European bison, or wisent, into Germany's most densely populated state will soon be reality. It will be the first time in nearly 300 years that these creatures will roam Western Europe. But not everyone is as excited as the prince.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Three decades after giving the world The Number of the Beast, Iron Maiden is poised to release its latest work — and it's a beer. "As a fan of traditional English cask beer, I thought this could actually be something really exciting," singer Bruce Dickinson says.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

The share of the American public that identifies simply as Catholic, however, has risen slightly to 18 percent in 2012 from 14 percent in 1974.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Jennifer Carroll was questioned in connection with the federal investigation of a company that owns Internet cafes, which local law enforcement officials view with suspicion as a front for online gambling.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee are holding a hearing today on sexual assault in the military. Host Michel Martin discusses how the military handles sexual assault cases with Anu Bhagwati, the executive director of the Service Women's Action Network, and with Jennifer Hlad, a reporter for Stars and Stripes.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Among fast-fashion chains, "made in the USA" labels are hard to find. Forever 21 has reaped billions ordering clothes from around the world. American Apparel, however, boasts that its garments are made domestically. The key to its profitability may lie in the limited types of garments it sells.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Telemedicine sounds like a good idea, but state laws limit it, and insurers usually won't pay for that. Parkinson's specialist Ray Dorsey is determined to prove that it can work, one patient at a time. The latest lure: free 30-minute consults.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

The Los Angeles Times looks at the blog posts written over a 4-year period by "Rocy Bird," who told tales of what it's like inside a People's Liberation Army hacking unit.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

A bold question to the pop star — "could I play with you?" — got an "OK" response. The video of student Michael Pollack knocking it out of the park on the piano as Joel sings is going viral. "Guy's got chops!" Joel declared.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

A new clickable atlas shows just how far it is to the grocery store, everywhere in the United States. "Food deserts" are the focus of state, local and federal anti-obesity efforts.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

The 1.1 percent increase is a sign that despite higher payroll taxes and increases in the price of such things as gasoline, consumers are still willing to spend. And that's good news for the economy.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

The allegations against two high school football players in an Ohio town obsessed with high school football have attracted attention around the world.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Mitch Seavey is 53. His son Dallas holds the record as the youngest musher to win the race. He was 25 when his team finished the 1,000-mile course first in 2012.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Also: Maurice Sendak's watercolors; the longlist for the Women's Prize for Fiction is announced; and complaints against Bob Woodward's book on John Belushi.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Catholics around the world are watching the roof of the Vatican again to learn if their church has a new pope. If they see black smoke, that means the church's cardinals still haven't decided. White smoke and bells signal that a pope has been chosen.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us