The world waits as cardinals work to choose the next pope
The world is watching the Vatican on Thursday as 133 cardinals work to choose which of them will be the next pope.
3 NPR Correspondents Change Beats
As the new year begins, a few of the familiar voices you hear on NPR will be coming from different places. Call it our own version of musical chairs. Morning Edition co-host David Greene checks in with Ari Shapiro, Philip Reeves and Tamara Keith, who will be covering different beats.
Ice Cream Truck Switches From Jingles To Text Messages
Sweden's icy winter leads a lot of people indoors which didn't deter one enterprising ice cream truck driver. He simply played his truck's jingle louder. So loud, that residents complained. Which led the ice cream company to come up with a quieter substitute to the traditional jingle: texting.
10,000 Year Clock Challenges Approach To Time
In this final interview in our series of conversations about the future, Morning Edition co-host Steve Inskeep talks to Danny Hillis, a scientist and engineer and the inventor of a clock designed to last 10,000 years. The clock is meant to encourage people to think about the long-range future; the "long now" as Hillis calls it.
Giant Peach, Cheese Wedge To Ring In New Year
In Georgia, an 800 pound peach is Atlanta's version of the Times Square crystal ball. Among the other huge items being dropped New Year's Eve: A giant ruby slipper in Key West, Fla. In Plymouth, Wis., an 80 pound cheese wedge is decorated for the occasion.
Would-Be Robber Rejects Victim's Flip Phone
A man was being mugged in New York's Central Park when the thief asked for the victim's phone. According to the New York Post, when he saw it was an old phone, he gave it back to the victim.
Local Brewery Has Starbucks Frothing Over Stout's Name
The giant coffee chain sent a cease-and-desist letter to the owner of Exit 6 Pub and Brewery in Missouri. Starbucks told the pub to stop referring to one of its dark, frothy beers as "the frappicino." Starbucks noted it sounds a lot like its trademarked frozen coffee drink.
American Dialect Society To Vote On Word Of The Year
Later this week the American Dialect Society will announce its word of the Year. Renee Montagne discusses word contenders with linguist Ben Zimmer, who is the language columnist for The Wall Street Journal.
Syria To Miss Deadline To Remove Chemical Weapons Stockpile
Today is the deadline for Syria to hand over about 500 tons of ingredients for its chemical weapons including the deadliest: Sarin and mustard gas. Renee Montagne talks to Ake Sellstrom, who headed the U.N. team of inspectors investigating the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
Kiwi Gardner Gets A Break, Told To 'Go At The Rim'
Two months ago, NPR listeners were introduced to Kiwi Gardner, 20, a 5'7" basketball wiz from Oakland, Calif. Like so many talented young ballplayers, Gardner's ultimate goal is the NBA but he has took take the minor league route.
Crushed Strawberry Won't Ruin Harrisburg's New Year
For the past 14 years, people in the Pennsylvania capital have been lowering a giant strawberry to mark the new year. During a test drop, the 65 pound fiberglass strawberry dropped three stories and shattered. Organizers say they'll have a new one ready for New Year's Eve.