U.S. Senate In Flux Senate May Be Stuck With Blagojevich Pick December 31, 2008 • A 1969 Supreme Court decision renders it almost impossible for the Senate to outright deny a seat to Roland Burris, the man tapped to serve the remainder of President-elect Obama's Senate term by Illinois' scandal-dogged Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
U.S. Senate In Flux Burris, At Center Of Storm, Calls Appointment Legal December 31, 2008 • Roland Burris, named by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to fill President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat, says that despite corruption allegations surrounding the governor, his appointment is legal. Burris, At Center Of Storm, Calls Appointment Legal Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98917405/98912387" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Burris, At Center Of Storm, Calls Appointment Legal Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98917405/98912387" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
World Russia Vows To Cut Ukraine Gas Supplies December 31, 2008 • The New Year tussle over prices for natural gas and outstanding debt payments between Russia and Ukraine has become almost an annual tradition. This winter, the two sides are at loggerheads over money, with Russia threatening to cut off supplies to the Ukrainians. Supplies to Western Europe could be affected. Russia Vows To Cut Ukraine Gas Supplies Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98912425/98913352" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Russia Vows To Cut Ukraine Gas Supplies Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98912425/98913352" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Middle East Experts Weigh How Gaza Fighting May End December 31, 2008 • Three Middle East experts discuss how the current conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza might end. Dore Gold, former Israeli ambassador to the U.N., Ambassador Edward Djerejian, director of the James Baker Institute of Public Policy at Rice University, and Rashid Khalidi, Edward Said professor of modern Arab Studies at Columbia University, offer their insight. Experts Weigh How Gaza Fighting May End Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98912389/98912381" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Experts Weigh How Gaza Fighting May End Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98912389/98912381" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
U.S. Senate In Flux Legality Of Blagojevich Appointment Examined December 31, 2008 • As Democrats seek to block the appointment of Roland Burris to replace Barack Obama in the Senate, Charles Tiefer, a former counsel to the U.S Senate and House and now a professor at the University of Baltimore Law School, offers his insight. Legality Of Blagojevich Appointment Examined Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98912406/98912388" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Legality Of Blagojevich Appointment Examined Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98912406/98912388" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economy Jobless Claims Drop, Maybe Skewed By Holidays December 31, 2008 • The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell by 94,000 last week, the biggest decline in 16 years. But analysts say the number was probably skewed by the holidays, when some people just didn't make the trek to unemployment offices. Jobless Claims Drop, Maybe Skewed By Holidays Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98909572/98909561" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Jobless Claims Drop, Maybe Skewed By Holidays Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98909572/98909561" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Middle East Divided Arab League Calls For Halt To Gaza Strikes December 31, 2008 • Arab foreign ministers met in Cairo to discuss the crisis in Gaza as the Israeli military operation there, as well as Palestinian rocket fire into Israel, continued for a fifth day. But as often happens at Arab League meetings, while the rhetoric was strong, the unity of purpose was scarce. Divided Arab League Calls For Halt To Gaza Strikes Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98904752/98912380" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Divided Arab League Calls For Halt To Gaza Strikes Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98904752/98912380" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Politics Blagojevich Prosecutors Seek More Time December 31, 2008 • Federal prosecutors need more time to interview witnesses who have come forward since the arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, according to court documents filed Wednesday in Chicago.
World In Israeli Town, Bombs Are 'Routine' December 31, 2008 • As the death toll climbs in the Gaza Strip, residents of Sderot, Israel reflect on months of rocket attacks from Hamas forces. We speak with Anav Silverman of Sderot, about what it's like to endure a continuous threat of violence. In Israeli Town, Bombs Are 'Routine' Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98879854/98879846" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
In Israeli Town, Bombs Are 'Routine' Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98879854/98879846" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Technology Can't Stand 2008 For One More Second? Too Bad December 31, 2008 • The official timekeeper of the U.S. will add a "leap second" to the clock at the end of this year. The extra second realigns precise atomic clocks with a time standard linked to the Earth's rotation. It will be the 24th added since 1972.
World Castro's Cuba Turns 50 December 31, 2008 • Jan. 1, 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. Led by a young Fidel Castro, the revolution wrenched power from the American-backed Batista regime. Today, Cuba remains the only communist nation in the Western hemisphere, making Castro one of the most polarizing figures of modern times. NPR's Tom Gjelten, who spent decades reporting on Cuba, takes a look back. Castro's Cuba Turns 50 Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98864467/98864457" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Middle East Mayhem On Gaza Ignites Debate In U.S. December 31, 2008 • The year comes to an explosive end in the Middle East. Israel is now in its fifth day of air attacks on Gaza, rejecting a recent ceasefire proposal. The conflict is among the deadliest in recent history. Radio hosts Ray Hanania and Thom Hartmann describe how the fighting has their listeners speaking out. Mayhem On Gaza Ignites Debate In U.S. Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98864464/98864456" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Mayhem On Gaza Ignites Debate In U.S. Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98864464/98864456" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
U.S. Senate In Flux A Resolute Blagojevich Names Senate Replacement December 31, 2008 • Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich named former State Atty. Gen. Ronald Burris yesterday as his pick to replace President-elect Barack Obama's vacant senate seat. Some see the move as a slap in the face to critics who want the governor to resign following allegations of corruption. A Resolute Blagojevich Names Senate Replacement Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98864459/98864455" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
A Resolute Blagojevich Names Senate Replacement Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98864459/98864455" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
National Spike In U.S. Medevac Crashes Prompts Oversight December 31, 2008 • Helicopter medevac flights in the U.S. killed 28 people in 2008, the most dangerous year on record. Officials say there is no common thread between the crashes, but the number of accidents has drawn the attention of Congress and the National Transportation Safety Board. Spike In U.S. Medevac Crashes Prompts Oversight Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98814511/98912382" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Spike In U.S. Medevac Crashes Prompts Oversight Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/98814511/98912382" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Case Against Blagojevich Stirs Political Furor The Hubris And Chutzpah Of Rod Blagojevich December 31, 2008 • Why would the embattled Illinois governor tap someone to fill the very Senate seat he is accused of trying to sell? Observers say his critics-be-damned announcement smacks of hubris. Then again, coming out swinging makes sense for the former Golden Gloves boxer.