Search results for

During the past week's Sept. 11 hearings, there were a lot of complaints about the intelligence community. The FBI was specifically criticized as disorganized and dysfunctional. Director Robert Mueller does plans some changes. Hear NPR's Cheryl Corley and NPR's Larry Abramson.

Legislators in Massachusetts give preliminary approval to an amendment to the state constitution that would ban gay marriage and legalize civil unions similar to those available in Vermont. The plan faces additional hurdles, including a state referendum in the fall of 2006. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and NPR's Tovia Smith.

Five U.S. soldiers are killed in a roadside bombing west of Baghdad. In Fallujah, four civilian foreigners -- including one American -- are killed when insurgents ambush their vehicles in Fallujah, a Sunni stronghold. Cheering crowds drag the corpses through the streets and hang them from a bridge. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

The U.S. military calls for a cease-fire in Fallujah, but there are continuing skirmishes between American Marines and insurgents. A firefight north of Baghdad reportedly kills more than 40 Iraqis and wounds many Americans. Hear NPR's Linda Wertheimer and Rajiv Chandrasekaran of The Washington Post.

At least 12 U.S. Marines are dead as fighting rages in the city of Ramadi, near Fallujah. Dozens of insurgents reportedly attacked a Marine position near a government building, leaving more than 20 wounded. Hear NPR's Eric Westervelt and NPR's Michele Norris.

Astronomers unveil a new image taken with the Hubble Space Telescope that reveals the deepest look ever at distant and ancient galaxies, providing a glimpse of the universe as it appeared shortly after the big bang. The image was released at an event designed to rally support for efforts to save Hubble, which is slated for early retirement in 2006. NPR's David Kestenbaum reports.

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry says President George Bush has provided more talk than action on increasing the security of the United States. Kerry made the assertion during remarks to the International Association of Fire Fighters, a 263,000-member union that has endorsed Kerry. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

Massachusetts lawmakers consider amending the state constitution to ban gay marriage. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that the current constitution allows gays to marry. Legislators are considering a compromise that would ban marriage but allow civil unions. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and NPR's Tovia Smith.

Shiite militias in the southern Iraqi port city of Basra have been patrolling the streets and cracking down on the sale of music, pornography and alcohol. Many residents now fear criticizing the city's Islamic parties, and British forces occupying the area worry the militias are undermining their activities. NPR's Ivan Watson reports.

Four leading Internet service providers announce they are filing civil lawsuits against hundreds of people, accusing them of sending unsolicited e-mails, known as "spam." The suits cite the CAN-SPAM Act passed last year. The companies filing the suits are EarthLink, Microsoft, Yahoo! and AOL. NPR's Larry Abramson reports.