Weekend Edition Saturday for December 25, 2021 : NPR

This pandemic winter looks a lot like last year's, but vaccines are saving lives

Listen · 4:02 4:02

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Asia

Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem are intimate this year

by Daniel Estrin

Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem are intimate this year

Listen · 3:59 3:59

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Opinion: A Christmas guest has much to say

Two men dressed as Santa Claus ride a jet ski on the Mediterranean sea at Villeneuve Loubet, near Nice, southeastern France. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau) LIONEL CIRONNEAU/ASSOCIATED PRESS hide caption

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LIONEL CIRONNEAU/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Simon Says

Opinion: A Christmas guest has much to say

by Scott Simon

Opinion: A Christmas guest has much to say

Listen · 3:09 3:09

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Europe

US and Russian officials have agreed to discuss Ukraine tensions and role of NATO

by Charles Maynes

US and Russian officials have agreed to discuss Ukraine tensions and role of NATO

Listen · 3:56 3:56

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Business

Biden wants to recruit new truck drivers, but the real issue may be retention

Listen · 4:51 4:51

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Books

NPR's favorite food books of 2021

by Elena Burnett , Natalie Escobar , Wynne Davis , Leah Donnella

NPR's favorite food books of 2021

Listen · 5:09 5:09

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Virtual fences may help cows have less of an impact on climate change

by Michael Elizabeth Sakas

Virtual fences may help cows have less of an impact on climate change

Listen · 3:57 3:57

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Space

The Webb Telescope, the most powerful ever put into space, launched successfully

by Joe Palca

The Webb Telescope, the most powerful ever put into space, launched successfully

Listen · 4:15 4:15

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Religion

For some secular Jews, their pandemic hobby has been learning Yiddish

by Deena Prichep

For some secular Jews, their pandemic hobby has been learning Yiddish

Listen · 3:26 3:26

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Music Interviews

Alligator Records founder Bruce Iglauer on 50 years of celebrating the Blues

by Scott Simon

Alligator Records founder Bruce Iglauer on 50 years of celebrating the Blues

Listen · 8:13 8:13

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Perspective

Writer Stephen Carter distills what we should take away from the past two years

by Scott Simon

Writer Stephen Carter distills what we should take away from the past two years

Listen · 6:30 6:30

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Politics

House committee investigating Jan. 6 insurrection calls Congress members to testify

by Deirdre Walsh

House committee investigating Jan. 6 insurrection calls Congress members to testify

Listen · 4:11 4:11

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National Security

U.S. air strikes have killed thousands of civilians, NYT Magazine investigation finds

by Scott Simon

U.S. air strikes have killed thousands of civilians, NYT Magazine investigation finds

Listen · 6:45 6:45

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Religion

Chaplain David Sparks has provided comfort at Dover Air Force Base for 40 years

by Scott Simon

Chaplain David Sparks has provided comfort at Dover Air Force Base for 40 years

Listen · 5:35 5:35

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Perspective

Leo del Aguila retires from NPR after 46 years

by Scott Simon

Leo del Aguila retires from NPR after 46 years

Listen · 1:44 1:44

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Religion

Pope Francis gives an early Christmas Eve homily with a pointed message on humility

by Sylvia Poggioli

Pope Francis gives an early Christmas Eve homily with a pointed message on humility

Listen · 3:32 3:32

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Sports

Saturday sports: NHL says no to Olympics; new Peng Shuai video; NFL, NBA keep games

by Scott Simon

Saturday sports: NHL says no to Olympics; new Peng Shuai video; NFL, NBA keep games

Listen · 4:27 4:27

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We Hold These Truths

How film has shaped the American image of democracy

by Scott Simon

How film has shaped the American image of democracy

Listen · 7:58 7:58

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Music Interviews

Why 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' is a staple year after year

by Scott Simon

Why 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' is a staple year after year

Listen · 2:56 2:56

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