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Ralph Reed, founder of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, discusses the role of social conservatives in the GOP politics. Incoming congressman Rick Nolan talks about his return to the House after more than thirty years. NPR's Political Junkie Ken Rudin recaps the week in politics.

History suggests that Susan Rice will be confirmed, if nominated for secretary of state. But some Republicans may be focusing on her statements about Benghazi to discredit the Obama administration. Here's a look at that possibility, and what else might be part of the Capitol Hill wrangling.

Syrian rebels claim to have shot down a government MiG fighter jet and captured one of its pilots. It appears to be one of the first times Syrian rebels have successfully used a type of portable missile and could mark a turning point as the rebels challenge the regime's advantage in the air.

Anyone who watched television footage of Lexington during last year’s Final Four knows that if you try hard enough, couches can burn. But because of a California state law requiring the inclusion of flame retardants, most are made with some chemicals designed to slow burning down. And a new analysis of couch cushions from around the country shows that several toxic or carcinogenic chemicals are still common ingredients in most couches. The study was led by researchers at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. They analyzed 102 samples from couches across the country and found that 41 percent included chlorinated Tris, a chemical that was banned from children’s pajamas in 1977 because it’s a suspected human carcinogen. Seventeen percent included pentaBDE, which was voluntarily phased out by many companies in 2004 and banned around the world (but not in the United States). PentaBDE bioaccumulates in tissue and can be toxic. Kentucky Environmental Foundation Director Elizabeth Crowe says on average, these flame retardants save three seconds of time in a house fire, and are less necessary as fewer people smoke at home and more people have smoke detectors. Her couch tested positive for chlorinated tris. “It just seems completely illogical to me that we all have this cancer-causing chemical in our couches and really are getting none of the supposed benefits of flame retardants," she said. Crowe says couches with polyester fiberfill—as opposed to polyurethane foam—are less likely to contain these flame retardants. It’s also possible to cut down on contaminated couch dust by frequently vacuuming couches. The Chicago Tribune looked into the use of flame retardants in household products earlier this year, and uncovered the prevalence of toxic chemicals and industry deception that overstated the benefits. A 2011 study, also lead by Duke researchers, found chlorinated Tris was a common ingredient in baby products that use polyurethane foam, including car seats and high chairs. According to USA Today: The American Chemistry Council, a group representing chemical manufacturers, said in a statement that "there is no data in this study that indicates that the levels of flame retardants found would cause any human health problems." The group says flame retardants can be an effective way to meet fire safety standards. It cites a recent analysis by one of its technical advisers showing their use in upholstered furniture can provide valuable escape time. The study is being promoted by groups that are advocating the Consumer Product Safety Commission ban toxic chemicals in furniture, and that Congress pass the Safe Chemicals Act.

Despite good intentions, tracking food waste with a high-tech software system just didn't work for one of Mario Batali's exclusive restaurants. Restaurants waste about 10 percent of the food they buy, but getting that to change will require winning hearts and minds.

The Kentucky Board of Education will soon reconsider its policies governing middle school athletics. A legislative task force crafted final…

The chemicals are meant to prevent a sofa from going up in flames, but there are concerns about health risks. With efforts to ban the chemicals moving slowly, the solution for now may be a simple vacuum cleaner.

The $5 billion National Ignition Facility has been called a modern-day moonshot, a project of "revolutionary science." But the massive experiment that aims to generate nuclear fusion has failed to do so by a key deadline.

A 21-year-old was arrested after she questioned the shutdown of Mumbai for the funeral of a controversial political leader; her friend was arrested for simply "liking" the post. The comment angered the politician's supporters, who some say intimidated police into making the arrests.

The race to make cars more fuel efficient means automakers are spending a lot more time in wind tunnels to get that sleek look. The result? A convergence in the way cars look.