Defense Minister Ashe Carter said the body of an American soldier who was killed during a rescue mission in Northern Iraq this week will be returned to the US this weekend. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler who will be welcomed home by his family, by my wife and myself. Speaking at the Pentagon today, Carter said he went ahead with the rescue mission after learning that a mass execution of hostages was imminent. The nation's largest public-employee union is backing Hillary Clinton for president. NPR's DG reports the board of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees  voted today to endorse her. With more than 1.5 million members, AFSCME is am important endorsement for Clinton. It comes after many unions are still deciding whom to back in the 2016 race. Already the giant American of Federation of Teachers is in the Clinton camp but two months ago, the leading union representing nurses National Nurses United went with senator Bernie Sanders. After *president *, Sanders says they polled members of the past six months and two thirds said they would vote for Hillary Clinton in the democratic primaries.He cited her commitment to higher wages, paid family and sick leave and retirement security. Labor's biggest umbrella organization, the AFLCIO has yet to endorse. DG, NPR news, Washington.

Democratic president candidate Lincoln Chafee has announced he's dropping his bid for the White House. The former Rhode Island governor made the announcement this morning at a Democratic national committee women's forum. Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz says Chafee has been a candidate of conscience. I thank Lincoln Chafee for his service, for his commitment to electing a democrat at the White House in 2016 and we look forward to seeing him campaign with us all across the country. He is the second democratic contender to pull out of the race this week. Former Virginia senator Jim Webb ended his campaign on Tuesday.

Stocks are trading higher this hour on Wall Street. The Dow was up 158 points. The NASDAQ  impulsed at 111. The S&P 500 up 22. This is NPR news.

The first World Indigenous Games are opening today in Brazil. Some 22,000 indigenous athletes from more than 20 countries including the US are participating in the event built as the Indian Olympics. But as NPR's LB reports from Brazil, it has not been without controversy. Two dozen indigenous Brazilian groups are participating in the games, add to that the Maoris from New Zealand and Mongolian tribes, native Americans from the C and C nations among others. The aim of the event is to highlight the rich global indigenous heritage. The athletes will be competing in traditional contests like shooting arrows, paddling cannons, and other tests of strength and endurance. And of course there will be soccer, both the modern variety and an indigenous one that is played on floors by butting the ball in the air. Some groups in Brazil though have boycotted the event, saying the government wants to whitewash how its indigenous population is treated. Brazil's indigenous often suffer from discrimination and are among the country's poorest residence.RD, NPR news, Ri.

South Africa president Jacob Zuma says there will be no increase in university fees next academic year. The announcement came after students clashed with police at a demonstration in the capital Pretoria today. Police had to use tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowds. Students accuse the government of not doing enough to support them and their families who are struggling to pay their bills.

Updating stocks on Wall Street. The Dow now up 157 points at 17646 . The NASDAQ up 112 points. The S&P up 22. I'm WJ, NPR news, Washington.