NPR News

Republican presidential candidates have said President Obama practices "appeasement" when it comes to foreign policy.

At the White House a short time ago, the president had this response:

"Ask Osama bin Laden and the 22 out of 30 top al-Qaida leaders who've been taken off the field whether I engage in appeasement. Or whoever's left out there. Ask them about that."

Republicans joined together to stop a vote on the nomination of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to run the new federal consumer protection agency.

Nothing ruins a nice cruise or a gluttonous run down the office party buffet like the norovirus.

The obnoxious virus causes the euphemistically-named stomach flu and is one of the most common foodborne illnesses. If you catch it, there's no drug to make you better. You pretty much have to ride out the diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain for a few days.

So ... now what?

Every year, more than half a million inmates return home from prison. And in this economy many face a tough time finding work. That's why the Labor Department has awarded a series of grants to help reintegrate ex-offenders. Host Michel Martin discusses reentry and recidivism with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and ex-offender Jennifer Gaskins.