Weekend Edition Saturday
Ala. Juke Joint Shuttered After More Than 50 Years
Longtime blues joint Gip's Place, in Bessemer, Ala., has been forced to close its doors. Weekend Edition profiled the place two years ago. Host Scott Simon takes note of the closing.
Kerry's Agenda: Priorities Emerge With Travel
Secretary of State John Kerry has been in office for less than three months and as he travels the globe, his priorities are becoming clearer. He's trying to find a diplomatic solution to the Syrian crisis, revive Israeli Palestinian talks and convince China to use its influence with North Korea to resolve that issue diplomatically.
The Philosophy, Economics Behind Sourcing Retail
Host Scott Simon talks to Michael Preysman, founder and CEO of Everlane, an online clothing retailer based in San Francisco that provides information to consumers about where its products are made.
How Hard Would It Be To Impose A No-Fly Zone In Syria?
So called no-fly zones have worked in the past, not always to change regimes but to help protect those trying to overthrow their government. Host Scott Simon talks with Kevin Baron of Foreign Policy Magazine's E-Ring blog about the possible imposition by the U.S. of such a zone in Syria.
Sports: Playoff Picks, Tragedy In Sailing
Host Scott Simon speaks with NPR's Tom Goldman about the week's sports news, including the NBA basketball playoffs and the death this week of Olympic gold medal sailor Andrew "Bart" Simpson while training for the America's Cup.
Immigration Overhaul Bill Survives Daylong Revamp
NPR's congressional correspondent David Welna speaks with host Scott Simon about the flurry of last-minute amendments, most from conservative Republicans, to alter the bipartisan immigration legislation.
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What It's Like To Work In A Bangladeshi Factory
More than 1,000 garment workers were killed last month, when the Rana Plaza factory building collapsed last month in Bangladesh. Host Scott Simon speaks with Kalpona Akter, the executive director of the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity, who began working in garment factories at age 12.
Diplomats Hope Syrian Rebels' Losses Promote Collaboration
Syrian rebels are on the defensive these days, losing ground to new offensives by government troops. Western diplomats are hopeful the rebel losses will persuade their leaders to attend an international conference being organized by the U.S. and Russia to chart a path to peace in the blood-soaked country. Host Scott Simon speaks with NPR's Deb Amos.
Frozen Lakes Cut Into Minnesota Fishing Tradition
Saturday is the opening of the walleye fishing season, and it's usually one of the busiest weekends for the state's resort communities. This year, many of the lakes in northern Minnesota are still iced over, putting a chill on the season.
Tiny Mites Spark Big Battle Over Imports Of French Cheese
Microscopic bugs called cheese mites are responsible for the distinctive rind and flavor of the bright orange French cheese Mimolette. But now, the FDA has blocked more than a ton of Mimolette from entering the country, because the agency says the mites left on it make it unfit for consumption.
Media Focus On Ailing Mandela Is Not 'The African Way'
The extensive coverage of Nelson Mandela's fading health has sparked intense debate in South Africa. Many say the African way views the twilight years as a final journey, a time of peace and respect, and that journalists should be more sensitive.
A Nigerian-'Americanah' Novel About Love, Race And Hair
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's latest book tells the story of Ifemelu and Obinze, who fall in love as students in Nigeria but soon emigrate to different countries: Ifemelu to America and Obinze to England. Adichie tells NPR's Scott Simon that Ifemelu's discovery of racial identity mirrors her own.
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To Count Elephants In The Forest, Watch Where You Step
To know how elephants are faring, they need to be counted. But how do you count them when they're hidden under thick forest canopies? A conservationist in the 1980s started to count their poop, and that helped to create a model of elephants' numbers and movement through the forest.
