National News from NPR

There Will Be No Friday This Week In Samoa

Credit D. Kirkland/Samoa Tourist Authority / AP

Samoa: Would you argue with getting an extra day in a place like this?

By Mark Memmott

Originally published on Wed December 28, 2011 1:53 pm

What's happening in Samoa on Friday?

Nothing (sort of).

Officially, the day won't exist.

12:59 pm

Wed December 28, 2011

Farmers Markets Flourish In Winter's Snows

Next image Previous image

Credit Maggie Starbard / NPR

Georgia O'Neal harvests winter greens at the Tree and Leaf Farm in Unionville, Va., on March 16, 2011.

Credit Photos by Maggie Starbard / NPR

Zach Lester works in the field of his organic farm, Tree and Leaf Farm, in Unionville, Va., on March 16, 2011.

Credit Maggie Starbard / NPR

Adam Lemieuy, from Johnny's Selected Seeds, leads a caterpillar tunnel workshop at the 2011 Young Farmers conference at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Tarrytown, NY.

By editor

Originally published on Wed May 23, 2012 10:10 am

If you're a fresh vegetable lover, it's hard to get excited about what's available in the supermarket produce section in the dead of winter. Whatever is there often has made a long journey from a field in a distant, sunny locale and been sprayed with something to keep it looking fresh. It's usually a little worse for the wear.

12:25 pm

Wed December 28, 2011

In S.C.: Whether To Say 'It's A Great Day' Is Now A Political Issue

Credit Chris Keane / Getty Images

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R).

By Mark Memmott

Originally published on Wed December 28, 2011 12:26 pm

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) has told her Cabinet agencies that all employees should answer their phones with this greeting:

"It's a great day in South Carolina. How can I help you?"

But two Democratic members of the state House are sponsoring legislation that would prohibit any agency from ordering its staff to say that unless it truly is a "great day in South Carolina" (according to those legislators).

12:21 pm

Wed December 28, 2011

Could Obesity Change The Brain?

Credit Wikimedia Commons

A fatty diet may trigger inflammation of the hypothalamus, deep inside the brain, and hinder weight loss.

By Nancy Shute

The standard advice for losing weight often comes up short for people who are obese.

If they switch to a healthful diet and exercise more, they might lose a bit. But the pounds have a way of creeping back on.

Now some provocative research suggests that a part of the problem might be that obesity could change the area of the brain that helps control appetite and body weight.

11:44 am

Wed December 28, 2011

Flame On: Protest Songs From Greece

Credit Courtesy of the artist

Yiannis Aggelakas

By editor

Originally published on Wed December 28, 2011 6:32 pm

Listen

11:30 am

Wed December 28, 2011

'Dead By Morning' Facebook Post Leads To Woman's Rescue, Man's Arrest

Credit Facebook.com

By Mark Memmott

National media are catching up on a harrowing story from Utah, where police say a woman who had been kidnapped, raped and beaten for days was able to post a Christmas Eve message for help on Facebook that led to the rescue of her and her 17-month-old son, and the arrest of a man now being held on $1 million bail.

11:20 am

Wed December 28, 2011

Israelis Protest Strict Code Of Ultra-Orthodox Jews

Next image Previous image

Credit STRINGER / Reuters/Landov

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man (l) and a secular man argue during a protest against the strict religious codes favored by the ultra-Orthodox in the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh.

Credit Menahem Kahana / AFP/Getty Images

Hundreds protest against gender segregation and violence towards women by ultra-Orthodox Jews in the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh. The demonstrations come after a young girl was harassed due to her "immodest" dress.

By Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

According to Israel's President Shimon Peres, a fight is underway, for "the soul of the nation and the essence of the state." But the threat isn't coming from outside of Israel. It's over differing interpretations of Judaism.

Recently, a bespectacled eight year-old girl was filmed by a local TV station being harassed by ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi Jews, for, in their view, not dressing modestly enough. The episode took place in Beit Shemesh, a city between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem that has become a symbol of this growing battle in Israel.