Lakshmi Singh

colleges received more than $5 billion in reportable foreign gifts and contracts in 2025.

That's according to freshly released data out today by the Department of Education.

NPR's Alyssa Nadwarni has details.

Nineteen Buddhist monks on a pilgrimage for peace are completing a 2,300-mile journey from Texas to Washington, D.C.

On Capitol Hill, people lined the path as the monks passed them in single file, some holding flowers and quietly greeting the crowd.

They were joined by other faith leaders, their walk for peace culminating with a ceremony this afternoon at the Lincoln Memorial.

The Dows closed down 22 points to end the day at 50,165.

The S&P was up slightly.

The Nasdaq was down 21 points.

I'm Lakshmi Singh in PR News in Washington.

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh.

Attorney General Pam Bondi is testifying before the House Judiciary Committee this hour in defense of a Justice Department that critics contend President Trump has weaponized to serve his own interests.

Ranking member Democrat Jamie Raskin opened his remarks today with searing accusations the DOJ has been less than transparent with victims of Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender with ties to President Trump, former President Bill Clinton and other prominent figures.

Bondi argues the DOJ has worked to release all materials under the law despite significant time constraints.

The U.S.

labor market started 2026 stronger than expected.

The government is out with January data showing non-farm payrolls rose by 130,000.

Unemployment rates slid to 4.3 percent.

However, the report, which was delayed due to the government shutdown, also significantly revises down the number of jobs created last year to 181,000.

The administration is trying to sell the public on his handling of the economy.