Pres. Biden: U.S. does not seek conflict but ‘if you harm an American, we will respond’

A Promised Land is Barack Obama’s memoir of his early political career and the first two years of his presidency. Obama takes us on his journey from relative obscurity as a biracial kid from Hawaii to becoming a transformative figure as the nation’s first African-American president. At every step of his career, Obama was guided by a deep faith in the fundamental unity of Americans; the potential and promise of America; the necessity of compromise and seeking common ground; and above all, the power of the democratic system to heal our divisions and effect real change for ordinary people.

Dive into the intricacies of modern warfare with "The Daily," as Sabrina Tavernise and Christiaan Triebert meticulously dissect Ukraine's groundbreaking and secretive drone program. As Russian drones, supported by Iranian technology, menace the skies, Ukraine retorts by forging its own path in aerial combat without the direct aid of Western nations. The episode unfurls a narrative of defiance, where Ukrainian government collaboration with private sectors has spurred the modification of reconnaissance drones for offensive tasks, setting in motion an indigenous evolution of drone technology.

Witness through the powerful testimonies of Ukrainian figures like Serhiy Prytula—a celebrity transformed into an emblem of national defense—how a nation mobilizes its civilian populace to counter external aggression. The podcast sheds light on the remarkable collective effort to fund and enhance a crucial component of Ukraine's defensive strategy, maintaining a strategic focus to cripple infrastructure rather than harm individuals. This insightful episode from "The Daily" also scales beyond the battlefield, touching upon President Zelensky's international relations and a hint of what's next in global politics—all while expressing gratitude towards the podcast's dedicated production team.

Despite predictions of a labor market slump, the US economy demonstrated resilience and diversity at the start of 2024, adding 353,000 jobs in January. The robust January jobs report, encompassing a broader array of industries than in 2023, paints a promising picture for continued economic growth.

Despite robust economic indicators in the US, including a 4.9% GDP growth rate, low unemployment, and a strong labor market, public opinion surveys find many Americans are pessimistic about the economy. Factors contributing to the negativity include persistent inflation, political polarization, the media, and lasting scars from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Though the U.S. economy has grown at a healthy clip in 2021, signs point to a slowdown. Much of this is simply the plateauing of the surge of post-lockdown growth, but there are also specific challenges facing the country. Slow-burning problems like the continued spread of the Delta variant, the ongoing labor shortage, supply chain disruptions, inflation, surging energy prices, and an overvalued stock market will depress growth heading into 2022. The possibility also looms of a sudden, acute shock—such as the potential collapse of the Chinese real estate market, should its largest property developer, Evergrande, default on its $300 billion of debt.

Dive into the complexities of global and domestic affairs in this riveting episode of NPR News Now, featuring prominent voices such as Korva Coleman and Michele Kellerman. World leaders grapple with the harrowing escalation in Gaza as the U.N. Secretary-General makes an unconventional appeal to the international community for intervention. Hear how the suffocating humanitarian crisis unfolds, with hospitals – the bastions of health and safety – succumbing to the pressures of prolonged conflict, potentially leaving countless Gaza civilians in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, on the home front, NPR News Now navigates the turbulent waters of U.S. politics and policy with contributions from individuals like Chuck Schumer and Marsha Blackburn. Listen as the contentious debate on foreign aid meets the powerful force of immigration reform proposals, revealing deep-rooted disputes and political maneuvering in Congress. Moreover, don't miss the poignant coverage of the personal and legal strife faced by Texans under restrictive abortion laws, brought to life through the experiences of Kate Cox and the advocacy of Molly Duane. This episode is a powerful testament to the interwoven challenges of national security, human rights, and public safety.

Dive into the pulse of American politics with "NPR News Now," where this episode, featuring Kristin Wright, Sarah McCammon, and others, delves into the significant role abortion rights played in the 2023 elections. As states like Kentucky and Ohio take decisive action to protect reproductive freedoms, the narrative unfolds a potentially transformative moment for voter priorities and party platforms. Wright's coverage of Kentucky's gubernatorial race illustrates this shift, where a pro-choice stance contributed to electoral victory, suggesting a wider acceptance of abortion rights' centrality to political success.

In parallel, the episode addresses the continued Republican leadership in Mississippi and the evolving US stance on international conflicts, as described by Jason Rosenbaum's analysis of Representative Cori Bush's advocacy for a ceasefire in Gaza. At the intersection of domestic and global policy, controversies such as Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib's remarks spur heated debates over free speech and political conduct. "NPR News Now" invites listeners to a comprehensive examination of how these domestic developments and foreign policy initiatives echo through the halls of governance and across the nation's moral and ethical landscape.