Search results for

Ten of Wall Street's top brokerage firms agree to pay fines of about $1.5 billion to settle conflict-of-interest allegations. The firms were accused of misleading investors with bad research, and have agreed to changes in their research divisions. Hear NPR's Jim Zarroli, NPR's Michele Norris and Columbia University law professor John Coffee.

New data from the American Kennel Club shows Labrador retrievers are the most popular dog in the U.S. The French bulldog has moved up in the rankings, and is in second place.

Also: Michelle Obama touts free speech in address to Chinese students; Turks strike back at attempt to ban Twitter; and upsets bust almost everyone's NCAA brackets.

The Jackson State Tigers will face the Florida Gators in the opening round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Tigers' head coach Tevester Anderson says his team will come to play.

Also: Survivors have harrowing tales after Brazilian nightclub fire; unrest continues in Egypt; Toyota regains No. 1 spot among auto companies; French and Malian forces move into Timbuktu.

One word soared because of historic events. The other rose because of Charlie Sheen. Other words or phrases that were used a lot include "Japan," "rad on Osama bin Laden" and "McLobster."

The results mirror an earlier USA Today coaches poll that also put the Crimson Tide in the No. 1 spot. The team is going for a third-straight national title.

Also: Tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula; President Obama reportedly plans to propose some cuts in projected spending on social programs; building collapse in India kills and injures dozens of people.

Barbara Bodine, the U.S. official assigned to govern central Iraq, will leave her post and return to the United States to take a position at the State Department. The move comes just days after the top civilian administrator in Iraq, retired Gen. Jay Garner, is replaced by L. Paul Bremer, a longtime State Department official. Bodine and Garner have been criticized for being slow to restore services and form an interim government. Hear NPR's Guy Raz.

Also: Parts of Northeast get hit with spring snowstorm; U.S. and Afghanistan agree on defense plan; shelling resumes in Syria; John Edwards' trial begins in North Carolina.