Willie / Vicki Barker
Appearances
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-30-2025 3PM EDT
You can't create a public program and then just simply say that no religious organization can apply.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-30-2025 3PM EDT
Religious liberty is really the freedom to worship. It is not taxpayer-funded, state-sponsored religious indoctrination.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-13-2025 7AM EDT
Here on Shortwave, we believe that science is for everyone and that every question is worth asking, no matter your age. My name is Willie and my question is, is magic real? Our podcast is for the curious at heart. Come embrace your inner child when you listen now to Shortwave from NPR.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-20-2025 4PM EDT
As the character Steve in the video game spin-off film A Minecraft Movie, Jack Black sings the praises of chicken cooked in molten lava as he shows the other protagonists around the alternate universe, the overworld. And now the jingle has become the shortest ever single to reach the UK top 40. At 34 seconds, it beats the previous record holder by two seconds.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-20-2025 4PM EDT
When it comes to pint-sized pop hits, Black has form, as the Brits would say. Another song from a video game film spinoff, 2023's Peaches, reached number 28 in the UK, all 95 seconds of it. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-16-2025 2PM EDT
A follow-up defense summit scheduled in London this Thursday will see participating military chiefs begin wargaming possible troop deployments in Ukraine to support and enforce any ceasefire there. Saturday's summit was attended by leaders from across the EU, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with backing from others, including Japan.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-16-2025 2PM EDT
It is not yet clear how many are prepared to put boots on the ground. But many, if not most, have signaled they are prepared to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to, and then abide by, a peace deal for Ukraine. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-15-2025 4PM EDT
Keir Starmer said his virtual summit yielded new commitments to support a ceasefire in Ukraine with firepower if necessary.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-15-2025 4PM EDT
Sooner or later, Starmer said, Russian President Putin has to come to the table. A major military summit in London Thursday will discuss a peacekeeping force for Ukraine. And Starmer's so-called Coalition of the Willing will also work on ratcheting up sanctions against Russia, including possibly using frozen Russian assets to rebuild the country. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-15-2025 2PM EDT
Diana Ross singing Upside Down is the track that King Charles says he couldn't not get up and dance to when he was young. Released on Monday to mark Commonwealth Day, a one-hour playlist introduced by the King has reached number one on Apple's UK Music Podcasts chart.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-15-2025 2PM EDT
The 17 singles, interspersed with royal reminiscences about their meaning to him, also include Bob Marley's Could You Be Loved and Kylie Minogue's Locomotion, as well as tracks from across the 56-nation Commonwealth of Former British Possessions. If there is one common denominator among all 17 singles, the king says it is this. They bring him joy. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-28-2025 3PM EDT
Cancer research, research in new wearable technology and jet engines and farming solutions... a broad range will be impacted. Dozens of colleges and universities have had research funds frozen because of the shuttering of federal departments like USAID and in response to alleged anti-Semitism on campus.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-28-2025 3PM EDT
But researchers say if the federal government gets out of the university research funding, there won't be anyone else to step in. Sabrina Howell, a professor of finance at NYU, says industry is focused on outputs, what they can sell.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-02-2025 7PM EST
In describing the stakes, Prime Minister Keir Starmer seemed to be evoking the last time European soil was invaded and Europeans stood alone.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-02-2025 7PM EST
US support is vital, Starmer said, but Europe must now do the heavy lifting in Ukraine, announcing billions in new military spending and commitments by several countries to send troops if needed. Starmer said he briefed President Trump Saturday evening and hopes for a receptive audience when he and French President Macron present their proposals to Trump possibly within days.