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Melissa Block As special correspondent, Melissa Block produces richly reported profiles of figures at the forefront of thought and culture, as well as stories and series on the critical issues of our day. In addition, she is a guest host on NPR news programs.
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Melissa Block
On Gun Ownership And Policy, 'A Country Of Chasms'

Gun enthusiast Paul Gwaltney at Blue Ridge Arsenal, in Chantilly, Va. Gwaltney, an NPR listener, agreed to host a discussion about guns with friends and colleagues. Becky Lettenberger/NPR hide caption

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Becky Lettenberger/NPR

Guns In America: A Loaded Relationship

On Gun Ownership And Policy, 'A Country Of Chasms'

Paul Gwaltney and other gun owners don't understand why many Americans are so anti-gun. So Gwaltney assembled a group of friends and colleagues with divergent views on guns and gun control for a frank conversation at his home in Chantilly, Va.

On Gun Ownership And Policy, 'A Country Of Chasms'

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Middle East

Obama Stresses 'Unbreakable Alliance' On Visit To Israel

President Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday. He is there to visit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discuss some of the major challenges facing the region, including Iran's suspect nuclear program, the conflict in Israel's neighbor Syria and the moribund Middle East peace process. Scott Horsley talks to Melissa Block.

Obama Stresses 'Unbreakable Alliance' On Visit To Israel

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Among Thousands Of Gun Deaths, Only One Charles Foster Jr.

Led by the Rev. Willie Phillips (center), protesters march in February against violence in and around Club Majestic. Mike Haskey/Courtesy of The Ledger Enquirer hide caption

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Mike Haskey/Courtesy of The Ledger Enquirer

Guns In America: A Loaded Relationship

Among Thousands Of Gun Deaths, Only One Charles Foster Jr.

Charles Foster Jr., 24, died on New Year's Day in Columbus, Ga., just one of tens of thousands of Americans who will be killed by a firearm this year. While mass shootings like the one in Newtown, Conn., attract a frenzy of media coverage, most gun homicides, like Foster's, garner little news attention.

Among Thousands Of Gun Deaths, Only One Charles Foster Jr.

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National Security

U.S. To Boost Missile Defense Amid Threats From North Korea

The Pentagon announced plans on Friday to beef up missile defense along the West Coast, in part to defend against the threat from North Korea. The Pentagon plans on adding 14 interceptor missiles to a base in Alaska, supplementing the 30 that are already there.

U.S. To Boost Missile Defense Amid Threats From North Korea

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Politics

Conservative Conference A Parade Of Potential Candidates For 2016

The annual meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference began on Thursday. The lunchtime speakers were Senators Marco Rubio and Rand Paul.

Conservative Conference A Parade Of Potential Candidates For 2016

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Politics

As Democrats Unveil Budget, Obama Continues Charm Offensive With GOP

The Senate on Wednesday began working through the trillion dollar spending bill to keep government running through the end of September. Amid all the talk about budgets, the legislation is actually the only one that's necessary to avoid a March 27 government shutdown. Meanwhile, President Obama continued his charm offensive with a visit with House Republicans. Melissa Block talks to Tamara Keith.

As Democrats Unveil Budget, Obama Continues Charm Offensive With GOP

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The Papal Succession

Selection Of Argentine Pope Surprises Some Vatican Observers

Melissa Block talks to Philip Reeves about reaction to the selection of a new pope to lead the Catholic Church, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Selection Of Argentine Pope Surprises Some Vatican Observers

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Politics

Obama Travels To Capitol Hill To Talk Gun Control, Tax Reform, And Spending Cuts

President Obama came to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, in the first of three planned visits to court lawmakers on a cluster of issues, from gun control legislation to a so-called grand bargain on tax reform and entitlement spending cuts. He spoke with Senate Democrats. Melissa Block talks to Ailsa Chang.

Obama Travels To Capitol Hill To Talk Gun Control, Tax Reform, And Spending Cuts

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Africa

Police Officers Caught In The Middle Go On Strike In Egypt

There is a growing strike by police officers in Egypt. Long accused of brutality before and after the fall of the Mubarak regime, police commanders say they are ill-equipped to handle the ongoing protests, many of them violent, in Port Said and other cities. They are demanding the ouster of the new Interior Minister, appointed by President Mohammed Morsi. The strike comes amid fears of more violence on Saturday when a court in Cairo is scheduled to hand down a second group of verdicts and sentences in connection with a soccer riot that left 70 dead last year.

Police Officers Caught In The Middle Go On Strike In Egypt

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Politics

Senate Committee Passes Bill Meant To Reduce 'Straw Purchases' Of Guns

The first major gun bills in nearly two decades had their first hearing in the Senate on Thursday, including an assault weapons ban and a ban on so-called "straw purchases." Still, even in the aftermath of the shootings in Newtown, Conn., the legislation faces an uphill battle. Ailsa Chang talks to Melissa Block.

Senate Committee Passes Bill Meant To Reduce 'Straw Purchases' Of Guns

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Business

Dow's 'Record Highs' Misleading Without Including Inflation

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a record high Tuesday, but only if you look at the Dow in non-inflation-adjusted terms. Adam Davidson of the Planet Money team tells Melissa Block that the Dow is of almost no value as a measure of U.S. economic activity.

Dow's 'Record Highs' Misleading Without Including Inflation

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Politics

Sen. Rand Paul Filibusters To Block Brennan's Nomination

On Wednesday, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky engaged in an old fashioned filibuster. He began it shortly before noon, aimed at blocking the Presidents nomination of John Brennan to head the CIA. Melissa Block talks to Brian Naylor.

Sen. Rand Paul Filibusters To Block Brennan's Nomination

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Energy

State Department Finds No Major Objections To Keystone XL Pipeline Proposal

The State Department released its environment assessment of the Keystone XL pipeline on Friday. Melissa Block talks to Elizabeth Shogren.

State Department Finds No Major Objections To Keystone XL Pipeline Proposal

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The Sequester: Cuts And Consequences

Despite Sequester, Government Shutdown Remains Unlikely

The long-feared automatic spending cuts are set to start late Friday, and now Congress must deal with another deadline at the end of this month. Tamara Keith talks to Melissa Block about what happens next.

Despite Sequester, Government Shutdown Remains Unlikely

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Energy

Investigator: BP Wasn't Prepared For Disasters At Deepwater Oil Wells

Tuesday marked the second day of a civil trial connected to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in New Orleans. With opening statements over, plaintiffs began calling witnesses. Melissa Block talks to Jeff Brady.

Investigator: BP Wasn't Prepared For Disasters At Deepwater Oil Wells

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