Weekend Edition Sunday

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Sunday

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Weekend Edition Sunday premiered on January 18, 1987, and was the last of NPR's major newsmagazines to hit air. Since then, Weekend Edition Sunday has covered newsmakers and artists, scientists and politicans, music makers of all kinds, writers, thinkers, theologians and all manner of news events. Hosted originally by Susan Stamberg, the show has been anchored by Liane Hansen since 1989.

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Sunday, January 8, 2012

Panetta: 'Human Side' Makes Pentagon Cuts Tough

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is no stranger to budget battles. But now, the former congressman faces what could be some of the toughest budget decisions of his career — how to cut more than $480 billion from the Pentagon's bottom line.

Rubik's Cube Challenge Gets A New Edge

Many still play with the toy, which been around for more than 30 years. The puzzle that challenges players to align a single color on each side first went on the market in 1980. A new generation of players is pushing the limits of the Rubik's Cube using modern technology.

The News Tip: Some Of Us Are Just Political Visitors

With election season in full swing now, the sheer amount of media coverage can be daunting to anyone trying to follow the races. While political reporters are down in the trenches, they can lose sight of those who are not full-time residents of the land of political obsession.

'Orphan': A New Novel Imagines Life In North Korea

In The Orphan Master's Son, Adam Johnson sensitively imagines life how ordinary North Koreans struggle to endure work camps, professional torturers and the repressions of an all-powerful state.

Letters To Tucson, One Year After The Shooting

Sunday is the first anniversary of the shootings in Tucson where 13 people were injured and six killed. NPR's State of the Re:Union asked people who were there that day and relatives of victims to write letters to their city in the aftermath.

NFL's Wild Card Playoffs Are Anybody's Game

The NFL postseason is under way. Saturday night's games included a record-setting performance by the New Orleans Saints, and Sunday's matchups feature two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks, plus a third who still manages to grab headlines: Tim Tebow. Host Rachel Martin talks with NPR's Mike Pesca about the first weekend in the NFL playoffs.

On The (Political) Ground In New Hampshire

New Hampshire Republican Congressman Frank Guinta is a veteran of New Hampshire politics. The former state representative and mayor of Manchester gives host Rachel Martin a sense of the state's mood just two days before the primary.

Afganistan's Abuse Charges Surprise Washington

In Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai is demanding that the United States hand over control of a prison facility that houses about 3,000 inmates. An Afghan commission has alleged abuse of prisoners there, and says that conditions violate the Afghan constitution. The demands may have more to do with a growing animosity between President Karzai and Washington, however, as NPR's Kabul bureau chief Quil Lawrence tells host Rachel Martin.

U.S. Reconsiders Egypt Aid After NGOs Raided

There are calls on Capitol Hill to scale back U.S. military aid to Egypt. Congress is furious over Egyptian raids on American democracy promotion groups, and some lawmakers accuse the Obama administration of being too timid in its response. As NPR's Michele Kelemen reports, several U.S.-funded, non-governmental groups have had their offices in Cairo shuttered for more than a week.

The Tucson Shooting: A Solemn Remembrance

One year ago Sunday a gunman opened fire while Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was holding a "Congress on Your Corner" event at a shopping center. She was shot in the head, one of 13 who were wounded. Six others were killed. Tucson is remembering the day with memorials, a candle-light vigil and dozens of other events. Host Rachel Martin talks with NPR's Ted Robbins about the day's services.

Candidates Turn Against All But One At Debate

There were lots of attacks and counter-attacks at the Republican candidates debate in New Hampshire Saturday night. Mostly the candidates fought among themselves, while front-runner Mitt Romney stuck to his talking points on President Obama. Host Rachel Martin talks with NPR's Mara Liasson about the takeaways from the event.

Political Tourists Make N.H. Their Vacation Spot

With so much campaigning compressed into one small state, New Hampshire is nirvana this week for fans of primary politics. NPR's Greg Allen ran into three self-professed "political junkies" from Baltimore who make a pilgrimage to the Granite State every four years to see the candidates up close and immerse themselves in the nominating process.

Classes Teach Soldiers To Be 'Army Strong'

Two years ago, the U.S. Army launched a program to teach soldiers how to be emotionally and psychologically strong. This week, the Army released a review of the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program. Host Rachel Martin speaks with the program's director, Brig. Gen. James Pasquarette, and Sgt. 1st Class Michael Ballard, a resiliency trainer in the program, about what it takes to prepare troops mentally for combat.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Finders Not Keepers: Yale Returns Artifacts To Peru

Objects excavated from the Machu Picchu ruins in the early 1900s have finally come home. The artifacts were taken by Yale explorer Hiram Bingham III. After 100 years, an international custody battle and an angry letter from Yale alumni, they're are back on display in their country of origin.

Iowa Reluctantly Warms To Romney

Many Iowa Republicans still have misgivings about Mitt Romney, but those concerns may to be melting away for some. The final poll by the Des Moines Register puts Romney slightly in the lead in Iowa, just ahead of Congressman Ron Paul.

Pages

Arts & Culture

NPR

Two New Stories With A New-Wave Vibe

The Truffaut borrowings are explicit in Noah Baumbach's Frances Ha, while Richard Linklater's Before Midnight takes its cues from Eric Rohmer's gentle but expansive talkfests. In both films, conversation is a centerpiece as characters navigate relationships.

Food

NPR

A Seat At The Table With The 'Queen Of Creole Cuisine'

Leah Chase's restaurant in New Orleans has served the likes of Thurgood Marshall, Sarah Vaughn and Duke Ellington. Now the legendary chef has earned the Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award. Host Michel Martin speaks with Chase about her latest accomplishment.

Politics

NPR

Why Former Gitmo Chief Left In Protest

President Obama is once again calling for the prison at Guantanamo Bay to be shut down, even though new polls suggest most Americans want it to stay open. But the chorus of critics has gained one surprising member: former Guantanamo Chief Prosecutor Morris Davis. Host Michel Martin talks with Davis about why he now feels the facility should be closed.

Technology

NPR

Viewers To Decide If Amazon's Sample Shows Make The Cut

Amazon is piloting 14 possible shows for its streaming video service. The audience will vote on which shows it likes best. TV critic Eric Deggans says the process and the shows would like to be breaking ground for a new media — but they aren't.

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Weekend Edition Sunday

Arts & Culture

Two New Stories With A New-Wave Vibe

Food

A Seat At The Table With The 'Queen Of Creole Cuisine'

Politics

Why Former Gitmo Chief Left In Protest

Technology

Viewers To Decide If Amazon's Sample Shows Make The Cut

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