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Why Did So Many Russian Drivers Get Such Great Meteor Videos?

The videos from Russia today of a meteor roaring over the Ural Mountains are amazing.

They also raise a question: Why do so many Russian drivers have dashcams?

Robert Krulwich explained why last December. And PC World is among those today who note that the answer is relatively simple:

"Many Russian drivers install and run dashboard cameras constantly to capture evidence in the case of accidents or scams involving pedestrians purposely getting hit. The cameras have long provided a steady stream of YouTube hits, which are now commonly combined into compilations."

Fair warning if you watch any of those compilations: there are some scary moments; so consider carefully whether you really want to click "play."

Here's one short video of a frightening accident — but one in which no one appears to be seriously injured.

And this video shows "why it's good to have a dash camera" when there are scam artists around.

Copyright 2013 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.

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Gnomes Crash Distinguished Garden Show In England

The contentious little creatures were allowed in the Chelsea Flower Show for the first time in its 100-year history. Their presence has been hotly debated, but celebrity-decorated gnomes will be sold for a cause.
NPR

The Great Charcoal Debate: Briquettes Or Lumps?

Does the kind of charcoal you use really make a difference when it comes to grilling up a tasty steak or other food on the grill? Yes — but deciding which one to use depends on what you're after. Both briquettes and lump charcoal — aka "natural" hardwood charcoal — have their advantages and disadvantages.
NPR

IRS Hearings Highlight Ambiguity Of Nonprofits In Politics

The congressional hearings about the IRS's handling of Tea Party applications for tax-exempt status raise the question of why and how tax-exempt groups engage in politics in the first place.
NPR

Google Reportedly Faces FTC Antitrust Probe Over Display Ads

The Federal Trade Commission is in the early stages of opening an antitrust probe into how Google runs its online display advertising business, according to a report by Bloomberg News, citing sources who want to remain anonymous because the FTC has not announced the probe.

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