Politics Headlines
Report due into under-fire Awema
The future of Wales' leading charity for ethnic minority people hangs in the balance as ministers prepare to unveil a report into allegations of financial mismanagement.
Minister's hint over dog chipping
Ministers hint they may support the compulsory microchipping of dogs to help encourage "responsible" ownership.
Meeting to discuss delaying exams
The education secretary is due to meet the EIS to discuss whether all secondary schools will be allowed to delay introducing new exams.
Same-Sex Marriage Decision Personal For Lawmakers
A bill to legalize same-sex marriage is in the hands of Governor Chris Gregoire. It passed the Washington House Wedesday with a 55-43 vote. During the three-hour debate, many lawmakers shared their own personal stories.
Oregon Revenues Down, Slightly
Oregon lawmakers have a clearer picture of what they'll need to do to bring the current spending plan back into balance. State economists said Wednesday that they expect revenues to fall another $35 million. That's not considered a very big drop.
Both Sides Of Gay Marriage Debate React To Wash. House Vote
Gay marriage supporters are thrilled. Opponents are gearing up for a ballot fight. That's the dynamic after the Washington House voted Wednesday to send a same-sex marriage bill to the governor.
Washington Lawmakers Pass Gay Marriage 55-43
A bill to legalize same-sex marriage is on its way to Governor Chris Gregoire's desk. After a three hour debate Wednesday, the state House of Representatives passed the plan 55-43.
Health Care 'Transformation' Would Buy Low-Cost Innovations
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber hopes his so-called health care transformation will save hundreds of millions of dollars. Oregon lawmakers are poised this month to take the next step in making that a reality.
Government defeat over NHS bill
The government loses the first of a series of votes in the House of Lords on its controversial plans to overhaul the NHS in England.
Possible Tolling Between Wash. And Oregon
Washington lawmakers are moving forward with plans to allow tolls on the proposed Columbia River Crossing between Portland and Vancouver. The project will cost as much as $3.5 billion and drivers will likely bear some of that cost.
'Congress Will Act': Fight Over Birth Control Coverage Moves To The Hill
Some religious groups have attacked the Obama administration's plan to require most employers to provide coverage for prescription contraceptives. GOP lawmakers are now vowing to overturn the requirement; meanwhile, Democrats say they'll fight to maintain it to protect women's health.
Buoyant Santorum Takes Campaign To Texas — And Corrals Some Perry People
Fresh off victories in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum campaigned in Texas on Wednesday. He told a small group of pastors, some of them former supporters of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, that he is the true conservative left to challenge Mitt Romney.
Livingstone in 'gay Tories' row
Conservative MPs call for Labour's candidate for London mayor, Ken Livingstone, to apologise for saying their party is "riddled" with homosexuals.
National Organization Prepares For Gay Marriage Ballot Repeal Effort In Wash.
Gay marriage isn't the law in Washington yet. But national opponents are already preparing for a repeal campaign. The Washington House Wednesday is expected to send a same-sex marriage measure to the governor for her signature.
Oregon Revenue Forecast Mostly Flat
Oregon lawmakers will have even less money to work with in order to keep the current spending plan in balance. State economists Wednesday forecasted that state revenues would be about $35 million lower than they predicted three months ago.
David Cameron attack on Welsh NHS
Prime Minister David Cameron attacks Labour's handling of the health service in Wales.
Conservatives Worry Romney's Vision Is Cloudy
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's losses on Tuesday have raised questions once again about his ability to inspire passion from his party's base. There has been a daily drumbeat begging Romney to put some meat on the bones of his policy agenda and set out his vision for the country.
Counting The GOP Delegates, But Not Before They're Official
The NPR Delegate Tracker credits a candidate with delegates only when party rule or state law unambiguously awards those delegates to that candidate.
After Glum Night, Romney May Find Signs Of Hope In Colorado Swing County
Rick Santorum won the Colorado caucuses Tuesday on the strength of social conservative and Tea Party voters. Yet he fared differently in one battleground county that will be key in the swing state in November.
Labour in £90m 'Boris bung' claim
Labour accuse the government of giving London mayor Boris Johnson a £90m "bung" to pay for extra police as part of a plan to get him re-elected.
Santorum Takes His Victory Lap In Texas
Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum won Tuesday's caucuses in Minnesota and Colorado, as well as the non-binding primary in Missouri. On Wednesday, he took a victory lap in Texas.
Ron Paul Fans Stay Committed After Colorado
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul has yet to win a primary, but his supporters remain enthusiastic. Robert Siegel speaks with Ron Paul supporters Christa Leonard in St. Paul, Minn., and Ken Stanton in Fort Collins, Colo., following the caucuses in those states about what's keeping them committed.
Red light change 'may save lives'
Ministers have been urged to look into allowing cyclists to go through red lights, in an attempt to cut fatalities and serious injuries.
MSPs pass £30bn Scottish budget
MSPs have approved the Scottish government's £30bn budget in a Holyrood vote which saw 70 members backing it and 52 members rejecting it.
Cameron takes Swedish lesson in wooing women
Cameron seeks Nordic tips on wooing women (voters)
Taking the 'glamour' out of gang crime
Police aim to banish the glamour of criminal crews
Anti-Gay Discrimination Hard To Prove In Foster Care Arena
Washington's new gay marriage law contains some special language to address a concern raised by faith-based foster and adoption agencies. These state contractors don't want to be forced to place children with gay couples. But Washington law already prohibits them from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins found a mostly "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Guido Fawkes 'made lawyers chase'
The man behind political website Guido Fawkes tells how he posted material using hosting sites around the world to avoid legal action.
Three Takes On What Defines Conservatism In 2012
The remaining GOP presidential candidates, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, New Gingrich and Ron Paul, are all fighting to sell a slightly different brand of conservatism. Conservatism has undergone some big changes and its definition in 2012 continues to morph.
Obama Shifts His Position On Super PACs
President Barack Obama's campaign has urged top donors to support a super PAC run by former Obama aides. The president previously called the fundraising groups a "threat to democracy." The Center for Responsive Politics' Sheila Krumholz discusses the shift and NPR's Ken Rudin reviews the week in politics.
PM: Qatada outcome 'unacceptable'
David Cameron says radical cleric Abu Qatada should have been deported to Jordan "years ago" and he still wants to see this happen.
VIDEO: Owen: Only the PM can stop NHS reforms
Lord Owen claimed only the prime minister could stop plans for NHS reforms in England and he should back track as he did on a planned forest sell-off.
Why I donate my winter fuel money
Ann Widdecombe: Why I have donated my payments
Romney Still Looks Like Front-Runner Even After Santorum's 3-State Romp
While it obviously would have been better for Romney if he had won at least one and preferably two if not all three of Tuesday's contests, he has the money hoard and all the organization and TV ads it can buy to get through a rough week and then some. And let's not even get into his allied superPAC.
Pay freeze for MPs will continue
A pay freeze for MPs, voted through in the Commons last year, will be extended for 2012/13, say expenses chiefs.
VIDEO: Guido Fawkes 'outran lawyers'
The man behind political website Guido Fawkes has told how he avoiding legal action by using foreign web hosts.
VIDEO: Is Britain going all Nordic?
The extra cold weather, Danish TV programmes, and Swedish films and furniture suggest the UK seems to be getting close then ever to its neighbours across the North Sea.
Nudge theory trials 'are working'
Initial trials suggest millions of pounds could be saved by using "nudge" theories to encourage people to pay taxes and fines, UK officials say.
VIDEO: Nick Robinson and MPs review PMQs
Alan Duncan and Liz Kendall review PMQs, where NHS reforms in England dominated the exchanges between David Cameron and Ed Miliband.
EC denies backing booze pricing
A Scottish government claim that it had EU backing for plans to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol is denied by the European Commission.
VIDEO: Why MP gives winter fuel money away
Former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe gives her winter fuel allowance away to charity and explains why she thinks the policy should be changed.
Santorum Wins Big In Three Early Voting Contests
GOP hopeful Rick Santorum carried wins in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri, on Tuesday. The White House also tries to manage a controversy over requiring many Catholic institutions to provide free contraception in their employees' health coverage. Host Michel Martin covers these topics and other political news with a diverse panel of politicos.
Is Komen's Image Beyond Repair?
The breast cancer charity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, took a lot of heat last week for cutting grants to Planned Parenthood. The group reversed the decision this week, and Karen Handel resigned as vice president. Host Michel Martin continues the conversation on this week's major news with a diverse panel of politicos.
VIDEO: PM: Unite not snipe over Qatada
David Cameron was asked about the release of radical cleric Abu Qatada.
VIDEO: House of Commons
Labour leader Ed Miliband has urged David Cameron to drop plans to overhaul the NHS, branding the government's flagship Health and Social Care Bill a "complete disaster".
VIDEO: PM and Miliband clash on Lansley
The prime minister accused the Labour leader of a campaign to save his own leadership in his attacks over NHS reforms in England.
VIDEO: 'Even Tories don't trust Tories on NHS'
Ed Miliband claimed "even the Tories don't trust the Tories on the NHS" as he attacked the prime minister over NHS reforms in England.
UK denies militarising Falklands
Downing Street denies claims by Argentina that it is "militarising the South Atlantic", in a dispute about the Falkland Islands.
Nigel Farage reveals Green secret
The leader of the UK Independence Party Nigel Farage admits he once voted Green.
Did Santorum Win Big Or Win Squat? What's A Nation To Believe?
The results of Missouri's "beauty contest" primary and caucuses in Minnesota and Colorado may be poor indicators of the sentiment of most Republicans and independents. Instead, they show the ardor of the fraction of voters who turned out — and the potency of the abortion issue in national politics.
