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The Two-Way
12:55 pm
Wed July 11, 2012

That's 'Gnathia Marleyi' To You: Scientist Names New Species After Bob Marley

Credit Ann Marie Coile / Arkansas State University
Male gnathiids.

Originally published on Thu July 12, 2012 3:00 pm

We're not quite sure what to make of it. Is it an honor? Is it an insult?

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It's All Politics
12:44 pm
Wed July 11, 2012

Romney Absorbs Boos, Tells NAACP That Democrats Have Failed Blacks

Credit Pat Sullivan / AP
Mitt Romney speaks at the NAACP annual convention Wednesday in Houston.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 2:02 pm

The Two-Way
11:39 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Kim Dotcom, Megaupload Founder, Offers To Extradite Himself

Credit Michael Bradley / AFP/Getty Images
Megaupload boss Kim Dotcom, left, leaves court after he was granted bail in the in Auckland, New Zealand.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 12:31 pm

Kim Dotcom, the founder of Megaupload, now says he's ready to fly himself to the United States to face charges and forgo what could be a lengthy extradition process.

As you might expect, Dotcom made the offer of self-extradition on Twitter, saying:

"Hey DOJ, we will go to the US. No need for extradition. We want bail, funds unfrozen for lawyers & living expenses."

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The Two-Way
11:37 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Heir To Billions May Have Lived With Wife's Body For Days In Britain

Credit Alan Davidson / AP
Eva Rausing, right, and her husband Hans Kristian Rausing in 1996.

"Detectives are investigating whether one of the heirs to the Tetra Pak drinks carton fortune lived with his wife's body for up to a week after her death in their Belgravia mansion in London," The Guardian reports.

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Economy
11:04 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Did The Great Recession Bring Back The 1930s?

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 1:00 pm

The long economic downturn that began in late 2007 came to be known at the Great Recession –- the worst period since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Even though both events were momentous enough to earn the word "great" as a modifier, they really are not comparable, according to recent research by economist Mark Vaughan, a fellow at the Weidenbaum Center on the Economy at Washington University in St. Louis.

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The Salt
10:55 am
Wed July 11, 2012

U.S. Pig And Cattle Producers Trying To Crush Egg Bill

Credit Matt Cardy / Getty Images
Egg producers and the Humane Society agree on a bill to require larger chicken cages, but the pork and beef industries fear they're next and are fighting it.

Originally published on Fri July 13, 2012 7:54 am

Remember our reports a few months ago on the odd couple who struck an innovative compromise between egg producers and animal welfare activists? (Here's a hint: The deal calls for egg producers to replace their standard cages with new "enriched" accommodations, complete with perches and nest boxes where chickens can lay their eggs.)

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The Two-Way
10:15 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Heartbreak Again As 520 More Genocide Victims Are Buried In Srebrenica

Credit Marko Drobnjakovic / AP
Earlier today, a woman cried next to the coffin of her relative at the Potocari memorial complex near Srebrenica.

On this "17th anniversary of Europe's worst massacre since World War II," 30,000 people gathered in Srebrenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina, today to bury 520 more victims of the 1995 slaughter there.

And as The Associated Press says, "the annual ritual was as heartbreaking as ever."

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Shots - Health Blog
9:05 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Why You Should Keep Medicines Out Of Summer Heat

Credit iStockphoto.com
When the outside temperature feels like a fever, your medicines are at risk.

As record-breaking temperatures sweep the nation, it's hard to keep anything cool, especially if the power goes out.

And, try as you might, it's hard to find health products — from prescription drugs to over-the-counter pain relievers — that don't caution against storage in high temperatures.

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The Two-Way
9:01 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Romney To NAACP: If You Knew My Heart, I Would Get Your Vote

Credit Evan Vucci / AP
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney during his address to the NAACP's annual convention this morning in Houston.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 10:53 am

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney told the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People this morning that his policies would be good for all Americans and that those of President Obama have not helped the nation's poorest people.

And, he told delegates to the NAACP's annual convention in Houston, "if it were possible to fully communicate what I believe is in the real, enduring best interest of African-American families, you would vote for me for president."

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It's All Politics
8:53 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Office Pressured To Release Details About Condition

Credit M. Spencer Green / AP
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., thanks supporters at his primary election night party in Chicago on March 20.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 9:09 pm

A source close to Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., says his staff or doctors could provide more information on the condition of the congressman as early as today, NPR's David Schaper reports.

Jackson took a leave of absence a month ago, but his office has been vague about the circumstances.

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The Two-Way
8:36 am
Wed July 11, 2012

JPMorgan Will Move To 'Clawback' Millions From Execs Who Bungled Billions

Credit John MacDougall / AFP/Getty Images
Another kind of claws at work. Meanwhile, JPMorgan is going to see if legal steps will let it "clawback" some money paid to executives.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 9:20 am

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon predicted this would happen: The bank "plans to reclaim millions of dollars in stock from executives at the center of the trading blunder that shocked Wall Street," The Wall Street Journal reports

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The Two-Way
7:32 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Holy Cow! Family Finds Baseball Card Collection That May Fetch $3 Million

Credit Heritage Auctions
Two of the most valuable cards in the collection: Ty Cobb (left) and Honus "Hans" Wagner.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 4:33 pm

"My grandfather stuck it in the attic a hundred years ago and here it is now, a blessing to his grandchildren."

A blessing for sure.

As the Toledo Blade reports, when Karl Kissner and his cousins were clearing out his grandfather's home in Defiance, Ohio, on Feb. 29 they came across a box of very rare and very valuable baseball cards.

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The Two-Way
6:53 am
Wed July 11, 2012

In Scranton, Pa., City Workers Sue Over Having Wages Slashed

Credit Jeff Brady / NPR
Roger Leonard, a heavy equipment operator for the city of Scranton, Pa., saw his pay plunge to $340 from about $900 for two weeks' work after the mayor cut city-employee pay to minimum wage.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 9:32 am

The city of Scranton, Penn. now faces two federal lawsuits over a decision last week to slash public employee's pay to minimum wage. Unions representing the city's workers also are asking Lackawanna County Judge Michael Barrasse to hold Mayor Chris Doherty in contempt of court.

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Around the Nation
6:33 am
Wed July 11, 2012

City Of Brotherly Love Has A Different Kind Of Cupid

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

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The Two-Way
6:22 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Episcopal Church OKs Same-Sex Blessings; Largest U.S. Denomination To Do So

Credit Craig Ruttle / AFP/Getty Images
The rings of Michael Johnson and Michael Roberts of New York City stood ready before their marriage ceremony at the Manhattan City Clerk's Office in July 2011.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 10:54 am

With a vote Tuesday evening by its House of Deputies, the Episcopal Church became the largest U.S. denomination so far "to officially sanction same-sex relationships," as CNN's Belief blog writes.

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Around the Nation
6:11 am
Wed July 11, 2012

eHarmony Has An App For When A Date Goes South

The app simulates a rescue phone call. The app can show a telephone number — a coworker's, your mother's — and a photo of the supposed caller. Although it can't guarantee your date will believe the fake excuse.

NPR Story
4:09 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Google Expected To Pay Fine In Privacy Setting Case

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Some other news. Google and the Federal Trade Commission are near a deal that could result the largest fine for privacy violations ever imposed by that agency.

NPR's Steve Henn has the story.

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NPR Story
4:06 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Manchester United Hopes To Score With Its IPO

Manchester United is the most famous soccer team in the United Kingdom, and one of the world's most popular sports teams. Now its owners are hoping the team's popularity will translate into big bucks. They're planning to sell Manchester United stock on the New York Stock Exchange. Roger Blitz, of the Financial Times, talks to Renee Montagne about the team's IPO.

NPR Story
3:54 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Peter O'Toole Bids Farewell To The Big Screen

Just before his 80th birthday, actor Peter O'Toole announced he is retiring. He has been nominated eight times for Academy Awards but never won. He did receive an honorary Oscar.

Science
3:45 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Hot Weather Gets Scientists' Attention

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 5:30 am

How much of the recent hot weather can be attributed to global warming? Scientists will no doubt dig into the data and grapple with that question in the months to come. They have already taken a stab at that question regarding some of last year's extreme weather events, like the drought in Texas.

NPR Story
3:45 am
Wed July 11, 2012

An Update On Jesse Jackson Jr.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 6:55 am

Constituents and colleagues of Chicago Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. are calling for him to reveal more about his health problems and whereabouts. Two weeks ago, his office issued a statement saying Jackson had taken a leave of absence and was being treated for exhaustion. Now, Jackson's aides say his condition is more serious than previously thought.

NPR Story
3:45 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Business News

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 5:50 am

The City Council in San Bernardino, Calif., voted Tuesday night to seek Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection, making it the third California city in less than two weeks to make the rare move. The city faces a $45 million budget shortfall.

NPR Story
3:37 am
Wed July 11, 2012

The Last Word In Business

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 5:57 am

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

The ownership of American pro sports got just a little more international. That's our last word in business today.

Pro basketball's Brooklyn Nets, formerly the New Jersey Nets, are owned by a Russian businessman. An Indonesian media owner possesses part of the Philadelphia 76ers. And now, that same Indonesian man is among the new investors in D.C. United, the pro soccer team. His name is Erick Thohir.

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NPR Story
3:37 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Obama Tells Iowa Voters He Needs To Finish What He Started

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 6:49 am

President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney are hitting the campaign trail hard this week. On Tuesday, the president was campaigning in Iowa — the state that helped to launch his White House bid in 2008. He told supporters in Iowa he wants a second term in order to finish what he started.

NPR Story
3:37 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Take Me Out To The Ballgame For Some Vegetarian Food

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 4:39 am

They may not be having a great season on the baseball diamond, but the Philadelphia Phillies are in first place with the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA says Citizens Bank Park has the best vegetarian choices.

Asia
2:39 am
Wed July 11, 2012

'Hard Questions' Remain In U.S.-Pakistan Relations

Credit Qazi Rauf / AP
Pakistani border guards check trucks heading to Afghanistan, in the tribal area of Khyber last week.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 3:45 am

A U.S. operation in the mountains near Afghanistan last November killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan wanted an apology. The U.S. refused. In response, Pakistan shut down supply routes to Afghanistan for NATO convoys.

After intense talks, two border crossings were reopened last week to convoys for the U.S. and NATO forces.

Pakistan's ambassador in Washington, Sherry Rehman, was at the center of the negotiations. Afterward she called it a moment of great opportunity for the two countries.

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London 2012: The Summer Olympics
2:23 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Women's Field Hockey Aims To End Olympic Drought

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 3:45 am

As one of the world's most popular sports, field hockey produces celebrities in Argentina, the Netherlands and Australia. But the sport is relatively obscure in the United States, where members of the women's national team receive a small monthly stipend and their notoriety comes from outside the country.

Later this month, the group heads to London, where it will try to earn the first American medal in the sport in 28 years.

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Economy
2:22 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Euro Currency Still Faring Well, For Now

Credit Michael Probst / AP
Over the last 13 years, the euro has been worth on average $1.21, only a penny less than its current price of $1.22 per euro.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 11:42 am

The euro touched a two-year low against the dollar Tuesday, as concerns about the eurozone debt crisis continued.

Despite a recession across much of the eurozone and even predictions of the currency's demise, however, the euro has held up relatively well during this crisis.

Over the last 13 year, it has taken on average $1.21 to buy a euro. Now, even in this midst of this crisis, it's worth virtually the same ($1.22).

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World
2:21 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Spanish Families Share Expenses And Tradition

Credit Oli Scarff / Getty Images
A woman pushes a pram though the Plaza de Murillo on July 3 in Madrid. Spain's custom for multiple families to live under the same roof has tied them closer together as well as their wallets. The country has the highest unemployment rate in the Eurozone, and government benefits help aid those out of work.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 8:48 pm

What used to be a Spanish tradition is now becoming more of an economic necessity.

In Spain, the social safety net that helps people survive the economic crisis has two parts: government benefits and close family ties. The country has the highest rate in Europe of multi-generational families all living together.

With a quarter of Spaniards out of work, more parents pick up their kids from school themselves, in the middle of what would have been a workday.

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Shots - Health Blog
2:21 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Will Medicaid Bring The Uninsured Out Of The Woodwork?

Originally published on Thu July 12, 2012 3:54 pm

Ever since the Supreme Court decided last month that an expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act should be optional, quite a few Republican governors have been vowing to take a pass.

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