NPR Story
11:03 am
Mon August 13, 2012

College Freshmen Learn From 'Enrique's Journey'

Credit Random House
Many colleges and universities require incoming freshmen to read Sonia Nazario's book Enrique's Journey.

Originally published on Tue August 14, 2012 10:24 am

Before incoming freshmen actually step onto campus, many get their first assignment: a "common read." Colleges and universities assign the same book for freshmen to read over the summer to facilitate discussions once they get to school.

Sonia Nazario's book Enrique's Journey is on dozens of required reading lists this year. It tells the story of a Honduran boy who embarks on a perilous search to find his mother in the United States. Enrique's mother left to find work in the United States when he was 5, and he sets out to track her down as a teenager.

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Law
10:51 am
Mon August 13, 2012

The Line Between Confidentiality And Public Safety

Originally published on Mon August 13, 2012 12:57 pm

Mental health professionals are faced with difficult decisions about when to warn about potential threats to public safety. State laws vary: Some require mental health workers to report a perceived threat, others ease confidentiality requirements, and some states have no established duty to warn.

NPR Story
10:51 am
Mon August 13, 2012

'Dreamland' Uncovers Science Of Odd Sleeping Habits

Originally published on Tue August 14, 2012 11:38 am

We spend roughly a third of our lives asleep, but know very little about what happens once we shut our eyes and drift off.

David Randall has had trouble sleeping for most of his life. One particularly bad night inspired him to learn everything he could about the process.

"I woke up in the middle of the night with the scary and strange realization that I was on my back in the middle of the hallway with a searing pain in my knee," he tells NPR's Lynn Neary. "I ... quickly put together that I had been sleepwalking, and I ran myself into the wall."

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The Two-Way
10:46 am
Mon August 13, 2012

Amid Intense Fighting, Syria's U.N. Human Rights Envoy Defects

As more heavy fighting continues in Aleppo, Syria's chief Human Rights ambassador has defected and pledged allegiance to the opposition.

The AFP reported the story this morning and Swiss state media confirmed it. The AFP reports:

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The Torch
10:33 am
Mon August 13, 2012

Olympics Closing Ceremony: Both Well-Received And Anger-Inducing

Credit Thomas Coex / AFP/Getty Images
Fireworks explode at London's Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics. The gala has gotten good reviews — with the exception of those troubled by NBC's presentation.

Originally published on Mon August 13, 2012 2:09 pm

It's All Politics
10:28 am
Mon August 13, 2012

Moderators Announced For Three Presidential Debates, One VP Debate

Credit David Holloway / CNN
CNN's Candy Crowley at a Mitt Romney campaign event during the Iowa caucuses in January.

Originally published on Mon August 13, 2012 4:07 pm

For the first time in 20 years, a woman — CNN's Candy Crowley — will moderate a presidential debate, the Commission on Presidential Debates announced Monday.

The moderators for all three presidential debates and the sole vice-presidential debate were announced:

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Author Interviews
9:51 am
Mon August 13, 2012

Looking To The 'Stars' For A Reason To Live

When Peter Heller sat down to work on his first novel, all he knew was that he wanted to have the experience of writing without knowing the ending. As an expedition kayaker, Heller was already the author of many works of travel and outdoor-adventure writing. With his debut novel, The Dog Stars, Heller returned to fiction — his first love. But as the novel took a post-apocalyptic turn, he found himself relying on his real-life scrapes and survival skills.

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The Two-Way
9:50 am
Mon August 13, 2012

House Republicans Sue AG Holder Over 'Fast And Furious' Documents

Credit Gerardo Mora / Getty Images
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

House Republicans have gone through with their promise: The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Eric Holder, claiming that he is under contempt for failing to turn over documents related to the failed gun-walking operation Fast and Furious.

Fox News reports they filed the civil case today. Fox adds:

"That decision is expected to be challenged in the court case.

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The Two-Way
8:58 am
Mon August 13, 2012

Norway's Massacre Could Have Been Stopped Sooner, Commission Concludes

Credit Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images
July 24, 2011: A man and woman look out across Tyrifjorden Lake towards Utoya Island, where 69 of the victims were killed.

The bombing that began the July 22, 2011, attacks in Oslo could have been prevented and the massacre that followed on an island outside the city could have been stopped much sooner than it was, according to a report released today by an independent commission.

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Sports
8:56 am
Mon August 13, 2012

Can East London Keep The Olympic Spirit Burning?

The Olympics are over, but guest host Jacki Lyden takes a look at the lasting impact of the Games on young people living in the neighborhoods around Olympic Park. She speaks with East London residents Amber Charles and Rumi Begum. Both young adults participated in the Olympic torch relay in recognition of their contributions to sports in the area.

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