With the holiday
season ending, let’s go over some stories in the news. Winter is different
depending on the region, but people still help as you can read in the reports
about Syrian refugees and Brazilian children. For lighter fare, check out the
story on Chicago deep dish pizza. Admittedly I have not eaten that style of
pizza in a long while, possibly because it feels too indulgent. For the
technologically oriented NPR also reported on Salinas agriculture getting an
upgrade and a competition for robots.
Sunday, December 15
World Story of the Day
Snow Chills Syrian Refugees As
U.S. Suspends Aid To Rebels
A key human rights crusader has
been kidnapped by Islamist extremists outside Damascus, and if life for Syria's
displaced and refugees wasn't bad enough already, freezing temperatures have
compounded the misery. NPR's Deborah Amos talks with Weekend Edition Scott
Simon about the latest developments in Syria.
Story of the Day
In Newtown, Making Promises To
Transform A Tragedy
After the shooting at Sandy Hook
Elementary School, a group of victim families and others in the community
joined together to try to prevent gun violence, and they asked the rest of the
world to promise to help. A year after the tragedy, members of Sandy Hook
Promise say their efforts to change society are just beginning.
Monday, December 16
Story of the Day
In Press-Rights Battle, Reporter
Says Accountability's At Risk
The Justice Department is trying to
compel New York Times journalist James Risen to testify in the case of a former
CIA official who may or may not have leaked classified information to him. The
case calls into question the limits of the First Amendment's guarantee of
freedom of the press.
Business Story of the Day
When Craft Beer Goes Global: A
Kansas City Brewery's Tale
Boulevard Brewing has become a
Kansas City staple since its founding in the 1980s. It has many loyal local
fans — and soon, a new international owner, Duvel. The deal says a lot about
how the world now values a product made with a firm sense of place.
Tuesday, December 17
World Story of the Day
Ireland Exits Bailout Program,
But Economy Still On The Mend
Ireland has big budget deficits,
low growth rates and high unemployment. But the country is ready to take a big
step toward getting back to normal. On Sunday, it became the first country to
exit the bailout program put in place by the International Monetary Fund and
the European Union.
Story of the Day
In Florida, A Turf War Blooms
Over Front-Yard Vegetable Gardening
A woman in Miami Shores, Fla., is
suing her town after it forced her to remove vegetables from the garden in her
front yard, which she had tended for 17 years. She's being backed by a a
national public interest law firm, but the town says it's a long-standing
zoning ordinance that won’t be overturned.
Business Story of the Day
Economists, Unemployed Fret Over
Long-Term Jobless Aid Lapse
Democrats in Congress are promising
to try to retroactively extend emergency unemployment benefits after the new
year. The expiration of the benefits may satisfy some fiscal conservatives, but
it has some economists and many desperate job-seekers concerned.
Wednesday, December 18
World Story of the Day
Israeli Startup Offers Kids
Social Media Training Wheels
Most social networks require users
to be at least 13. But Itay Eshet's daughter, like many kids, wanted to join
Facebook when she was just 10. So Eshet created a site just for younger kids,
designed to protect them from bullying and other risks while teaching them to
navigate social media safely.
Story of the Day
A Majority In U.S. Favor Legal
Pot, But Will That Stick?
Colorado and Washington state are
setting up legalized marijuana markets, and advocates are celebrating. But
there are signs of discontent. Even a founder of a marijuana legalization group
says there's a possibility of a popular backlash.
Business Story of the Day
Is A 500-Year-Old German Beer
Law Heritage Worth Honoring?
A German brewers association is
seeking UNESCO World Heritage status for a 500-year-old law that dictates how
to make beer. The brewers argue that the law ensures purity in German beers.
But others say the law is from a bygone era.
Thursday, December 19
World Story of the Day
HIV Treatment Keeps A Family
Together And Growing In Kenya
When a Kenyan women was diagnosed
with HIV, she thought it meant the end of her marriage and her hopes to have
children. But with the help of HIV therapy, Benta Odeny not only protects her
husband from the virus, but she also has a healthy, HIV-negative daughter.
Story of the Day
Judge Softens Utah's
Anti-Polygamy Law To Mixed Reactions
The ruling is welcome news for
those like Joe Darger, who live in polygamous relationships. But others
question the court's interpretation and worry about young girls they say are
vulnerable to coercion into polygamous marriages.
Business Story of the Day
Russian Demand Fuels Comeback Of
North American Fur Market
Upwardly mobile consumers in China
and Korea also are buying lots of fur, and "not necessarily your grandmother's
old mink coat," says an observer. U.S. and Canadian trappers are flush;
animal welfare advocates are concerned.
Friday, December 20
World Story of the Day
Brazil's Post Offices Help
Deliver Christmas Wishes
It's a cross between Secret Santa
and Make-a-Wish. For more than 20 years, ordinary Brazilians have read letters
addressed to Santa that end up at their local post office and helped fulfill
those wishes. The Father Christmas Project helps about half a million kids,
some of whom ask for basic things like food and beds.
Story of the Day
A City Turns To Lettuce Fields
To Grow High-Tech Startups
Salinas, Calif., is just an hour
from Silicon Valley, but production at many local lettuce farms is decidedly
low-tech. City officials here decided it's time for an upgrade — and have hired
a venture capital firm to help Salinas transition into a high-tech agricultural
hub.
Business Story of the Day
Deep Dish Or Thin Crust? Even
Chicagoans Can't Agree
The Daily Show's Jon Stewart
recently ranted against a culinary signature of Chicago: "Deep dish pizza
is not only not better than New York pizza — it's not pizza," said
Stewart, calling it "tomato soup in a bread bowl." Some Chicagoans
protested. Others turned to their thin-crust pie, and took another bite.
Saturday, December 21
World Story of the Day
Uganda Passes Anti-Gay Bill That
Includes Life In Prison
Human rights groups and Western
governments have criticized the bill since it was first introduced in 2009.
Uganda's president must still sign the measure, which has widespread support.
Story of the Day
Robot 'Olympics' Test Machines
On Human Skills
Robots from around the world are
competing in a Pentagon-sponsored robot "Olympics" this weekend. The
challenge is to build a robot that can do human tasks and even go into disaster
zones.
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