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The Two-Way
6:46 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Obama To Speak, May Take Questions

Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
President Obama during this morning's news conference at the White House.

Originally published on Fri June 8, 2012 9:58 am

President Obama used the White House press briefing room this morning to again make the case that Congress — and in particular the Republican-controlled House — needs to take up more of his ideas about how to boost job growth.

He also said it's "offensive" to suggest "my White House" may have leaked some secrets to gain political advantage.

We updated with highlights, so hit your "refresh" button to be sure you're seeing our latest.

Update at 12:15 p.m. ET. Romney Says Obama Is 'Out Of Touch':

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The Two-Way
5:34 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Chesapeake Energy CEO In Hot Seat Today

Credit Scott Detrow / StateImpact/Pennsylvania
Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon.

The NBA finals aren't the only big news in Oklahoma City.

This morning, shareholders of Chesapeake Energy, the natural gas driller at the center of the nation's hydraulic fracturing controversies, are meeting in Oklahoma City, where the company is headquartered. But the buzz at this gathering won't be about fracking or basketball. It will be about Aubrey McClendon, Chesapeake's controversial CEO.

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Africa
4:55 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Dry Cleaner Opens In World's Most Dangerous City

Originally published on Mon June 11, 2012 12:03 pm

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

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The Two-Way
4:53 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Reports Swirl That Spain Will Seek Bailout

Credit Dominique Faget / AFP/Getty Images
The Banco de Espana (Bank of Spain) in Madrid.

One day after seeing its sovereign debt downgraded to just above junk status, Spain is dealing with reports that it's about to ask the other eurozone nations for help in bailing out its beleaguered banks.

As The Guardian writes:

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Around the Nation
4:48 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Typo Spotted In Maryland County's Diplomas

Originally published on Mon June 11, 2012 12:03 pm

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Good morning, I'm David Greene. High school students graduating in Prince George's County, Maryland, got a surprise on their diplomas: a typo. The diplomas celebrated that each of the 8,000 students had completed an approved "progam" of study.

The Washington Post reports that the school system has ordered new diplomas, and apologized. School officials had a pretty good excuse; they blamed vendor error. No word yet on whether a dog was somehow involved.

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Middle East
4:29 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Russia Refuses To Change Its Position On Syria

Originally published on Mon June 11, 2012 12:03 pm

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Now, as we just heard, Russia has stood its ground refusing to join Western powers in their approach to Syria. But Moscow has indicated recently that it's not wedded to Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Mark Katz came by to talk more about this with us. He's a Russia expert and professor of government and politics at George Mason University's Department of Public and International Affairs.

Professor, welcome.

MARK KATZ: Thank you.

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The Two-Way
4:08 am
Fri June 8, 2012

'Heavy' Syrian Army Presence Around City Near Suspected Massacre Site

Credit Austin Tice / MCT /Landov
Late last month, people gathered near a home that had been destroyed by fighting in al-Latamneh, Hama Province, Syria.

Originally published on Fri June 8, 2012 10:45 am

There was "blood on the floor ... pieces of flesh ... a tablecloth filled with gore" when U.N. monitors and journalists got to one home today in a tiny central Syrian village where activists say dozens of people were killed by pro-Assad forces this week.

That's the report from NPR's Deborah Amos, one of the journalists traveling with those U.N. monitors. She spoke with our Newscast Desk just after 9 a.m. ET, from that village.

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Middle East
4:06 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Annan Pleads For More Help Resolving Syrian Crisis

Originally published on Mon June 11, 2012 12:03 pm

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning. I'm David Greene.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And I'm Renee Montagne. The U.N.'s envoy to Syria has not given up on his peace plan - even after another gruesome massacre of villagers; even after U.N. monitors were fired upon at a government checkpoint when they tried to investigate the latest killing. Instead, U.N. envoy Kofi Annan is asking for more help to stop the violence in Syria, from the West and from Syria's neighbors.

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Book Reviews
4:03 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Right On The Money: A 'Capital' Book For Our Times

Credit iStockphoto.com

Originally published on Fri June 8, 2012 3:59 pm

Lizzie Skurnick writes the "That Should Be a Word" column for the New York Times Magazine.

England has always reveled in its drawing-room dramas, from Jane Austen's social minefields to E.M. Forster's Howards End to Upstairs, Downstairs — and yes, the blockbuster Downton Abbey.

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Latin America
3:56 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Venezuela's Cancer-Stricken Chavez To Seek 4th Term

Originally published on Mon June 11, 2012 12:03 pm

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

In Venezuela, the populist President Hugo Chavez says he'll register on Monday as a candidate for October's presidential election. It will be his forth campaign, going back to the late 1990s. But Chavez is badly hobbled. Cancer has invaded his body. And Venezuelans are wondering if he'll even make it to the October election. NPR's Juan Forero is in Caracas.

And Juan, I understand this is important weekend on the Venezuelan election calendar. Explain to us what's happening.

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