Must Reads : The Two-Way Some stories are just too weird, too funny or too sad to ignore. They may not be "serious news," but are so fascinating you must read them. NPR correspondents are on the watch for such tales. We pass along the best, from NPR and other news outlets.

The Two-Way

Must Reads

Monday November 30, 2009

International

Swiss Minaret Ban Condemned

November 30, 2009 • Religious leaders across the world have criticized Switzerland's referendum vote to ban the building of minarets.

Wednesday November 25, 2009

Must Reads

How FDR Tried To Make Thanksgiving Arrive Earlier

November 25, 2009 • When a president's rendezvous with destiny puts him in a position to save his nation's economy from ruin, he probably can be forgiven for thinking it's all right to use his power to move the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Rescheduling Thanksgiving Da...

Must Reads

Obama 'Was Planning To Eat This Sucker'; But 'Courage' Is Pardoned

November 25, 2009 • President Barack Obama issues a the annual Thanksgiving turkey "pardon."

Obama 'Was Planning To Eat This Sucker'; But 'Courage' Is Pardoned

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Must Reads

'Jetman' Fails At Intercontinental Morocco-Spain Flight

November 25, 2009 • Yves Rossy, the Swiss ex-fighter pilot known as "Jetman" had hoped to set a new first by flying the jet wing he straps onto his back over 23 miles of open ocean from Spain's southern coast to a beach in Morocco. He failed. But after some scary min...

Must Reads

Lambert Says He Had 'No Clue' Performance Would Be Controversial

November 25, 2009 • Adam Lambert says he had "no clue" his performance at the American Music Awards would be controversial.

International

Rains Complicate Start Of Hajj

November 25, 2009 • Rains complicate the start of the Hajj.

Must Reads

Today, 'One Lone Turkey' Gets A Presidential Pardon

November 25, 2009 • White House video spoofs the presidential "pardon" for a turkey.

Tuesday November 24, 2009

Must Reads

PETA's Turkey-Rights Ad Banned During Macy's Parade

November 24, 2009 • PETA, the animal-rights group, had hoped to rain on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Actually, it really wanted to rain on the traditional turkey Thanksgiving dinner of millions watching the parade by running an anti-turkey, pro-vegan ad dur...

Must Reads

Tyler Perry Gives NAACP $1 Million

November 24, 2009 • Tyler Perry, the one-man media empire who has made a fortune by making plays, movies and TV shows with broad appeal to African-American audiences, has pledged a $1 million donation to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People....

America

Oops, Boehner's Office Mistakenly Turns Rep. Issa Into A Democrat

November 24, 2009 • Oops, press release from House GOP leader Boehner calls Rep. Darrell Issa a Democrat. He's not.

International

Rare Copy Of Darwin's 'On The Origin Of Species' Found In Bathroom

November 24, 2009 • On 150th anniversary of the publication of Origin of the Species, a rare copy has been found and an appeal has been made for help in finding one of Charles Darwin's lost notebooks.

Rare Copy Of Darwin's 'On The Origin Of Species' Found In Bathroom

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Monday November 23, 2009

Must Reads

Atheists Going National With Godless Christmas Ads

November 23, 2009 • Atheists don't mind if you accuse them of trying to take the Christ out of Christmas. (American Humanist Association) By Frank James The so-called war on Christmas appears to be escalating this year. The American Humanist Association...

Must Reads

Don Voegeli, Composer Of The 'All Things Considered' Theme, Has Died

November 23, 2009 • Don Voegeli, composer of All Things Considered's theme, has died. He was 89.

Bob Boilen reporting, in 2002

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Uh-Oh: Hadron Collider 'Is Back'; Will Forces From The Future Step In?

November 23, 2009 • Large Hadron Collider is shooting protons again.

America

Bishop: I Did Not Tell Priests To Stop Giving Communion To Rep. Kennedy

November 23, 2009 • Bishop of Providence says he did not order priests in his diocese to stop giving Communion to Rep. Patrick Kennedy -- but that he did ask Kennedy to stop receiving Communion because of his support for abortion rights.