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Morning Edition for December 23, 2009 Hear the Morning Edition program for December 23, 2009

Morning Edition

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Corruption Ignored, Deplored In Afghanistan

President Hamid Karzai is under pressure from the Obama administration to crack down on government corruption. U.S. officials say the Afghan public perception that government is corrupt could be boosting the Taliban's popularity. David Gilkey/NPR hide caption

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David Gilkey/NPR

Obama's War: The Hurdles In Afghanistan

Corruption Ignored, Deplored In Afghanistan

by Jackie Northam

8 min

Corruption Ignored, Deplored In Afghanistan

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McMurtry's 'Literary Life': Not Simple, But Practical

Books

McMurtry's 'Literary Life': Not Simple, But Practical

7 min

McMurtry's 'Literary Life': Not Simple, But Practical

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Asia

Verdict For Chinese Dissident Expected Friday

by Anthony Kuhn

3 min

Verdict For Chinese Dissident Expected Friday

Listen · 3:51 3:51

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'American Idol' And The Making Of A Star

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The Decade In Music: '00s

'American Idol' And The Making Of A Star

by Stephen Thompson

3 min

'American Idol' And The Making Of A Star

Listen · 3:40 3:40

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31 Rue Cambon: Coco Chanel's Fabulous Paris Flat

Chanel

Art & Design

31 Rue Cambon: Coco Chanel's Fabulous Paris Flat

by Susan Stamberg

5 min

31 Rue Cambon: Coco Chanel's Fabulous Paris Flat

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Business

Ford Moves Closer To Selling Volvo Unit

1 min

Ford Moves Closer To Selling Volvo Unit

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Economy

Report: November New Home Sales Are Higher

by Wendy Kaufman

1 min

Report: November New Home Sales Are Higher

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Business

Silk Scarves Combat Sex Trade

by Blake Farmer

3 min

Silk Scarves Combat Sex Trade

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Business

Tinsel Sales Glitter This Holiday

less than 1 min

Tinsel Sales Glitter This Holiday

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On Health Bill, Reid Proves The Ultimate Deal Maker

Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada listens as Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd (left) speaks during a Democratic health care rally on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. Harry Hamburg/AP hide caption

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Harry Hamburg/AP

Tracking The Overhaul

On Health Bill, Reid Proves The Ultimate Deal Maker

by David Welna

4 min

On Health Bill, Reid Proves The Ultimate Deal Maker

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World

Penalties Imposed For Soldiers Who Get Pregnant

by Tom Bowman, Linda Wertheimer

4 min

Penalties Imposed For Soldiers Who Get Pregnant

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National

Secret Santa's Legacy Lives On

by Laura Spencer

3 min

Secret Santa's Legacy Lives On

Listen · 3:48 3:48

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Media

Liz Smith Recalls When Gossip Columns Ruled

2 min

Liz Smith Recalls When Gossip Columns Ruled

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Obituaries

Actor Known For Nerdy Roles Dies At 91

1 min

Actor Known For Nerdy Roles Dies At 91

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Performing Arts

'Black Nativity' Shepherds Sing Michael Jackson Songs

by Lisa Morehouse

3 min

'Black Nativity' Shepherds Sing Michael Jackson Songs

Listen · 3:57 3:57

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Business

Flying For The Holidays? Pack Light, Bring Cash

by Adam Hochberg

4 min

Flying For The Holidays? Pack Light, Bring Cash

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FAA Looks To Technology To Train Air Controllers

Inside Atlanta's new air traffic control tower, a dozen controllers separate arriving and departing planes. Jim Burress for NPR hide caption

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Jim Burress for NPR

National

FAA Looks To Technology To Train Air Controllers

by Jim Burress

4 min

FAA Looks To Technology To Train Air Controllers

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Television

When Reality TV Intrudes Into Real Life

3 min

When Reality TV Intrudes Into Real Life

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Sweetness And Light

Peyton Manning Makes The Cut As TV Pitchman

by Frank Deford

3 min

Peyton Manning Makes The Cut As TV Pitchman

Listen · 3:35 3:35

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Diversions

Kazakhstan's President Touts Extreme Weather

less than 1 min

Kazakhstan's President Touts Extreme Weather

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Diversions

Snowed-In Shoppers Spend Night At Store

less than 1 min

Snowed-In Shoppers Spend Night At Store

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Morning Edition

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