Author Interviews
9:57 am
Fri January 20, 2012

The Inquisition: A Model For Modern Interrogators

Originally published on Mon January 28, 2013 12:42 pm

The individuals who participated in the first Inquisition 800 years ago kept detailed records of their activities. Vast archival collections at the Vatican, in France and in Spain contain accounts of torture victims' cries, descriptions of funeral pyres and even meticulous financial records about the price of torture equipment.

"[There are] expense accounts [for things] like how much did the rope cost to tie the hands of the person you burnt at the stake," says writer Cullen Murphy. "The people who were doing interrogations were meticulous."

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The Salt
9:57 am
Fri January 20, 2012

Sustainable Seafood Swims To A Big-Box Store Near You

Credit iStockPhoto.com
Sustainably caught fish are no longer found just at fancy fishmongers.

It's no longer just Whole Foods shoppers seeking out certified, sustainable seafood.

Increasingly, those of us who shop the big-box retailers including Costco, Target and Walmart are finding a blue label on seafood packages. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label signifies that the seafood comes from a fishery that's met a rigorous set of standards aimed at promoting responsible, sustainable catches.

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News
9:50 am
Fri January 20, 2012

Farmers Arm Themselves Against Pecan Thieves

Originally published on Sat January 21, 2012 5:42 pm

The past two years have been good for pecans — so good, in fact, that there's been a spike in pecan theft from California to Georgia. And it's not people swiping a few nuts from a tree in someone else's backyard, but theft in amounts that could land someone in jail.

Greg Daviet's century-old family farm has harvested pecans in Las Cruces, New Mexico, since 1965. This year, Daviet tells weekends on All Things Considered host Guy Raz, an increase in demand from Europe, the Middle East and India has led to a price hike, with China as the top importer.

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The Two-Way
8:55 am
Fri January 20, 2012

Senate Vote Delayed On PIPA, Its Anti-Piracy Bill

Saying that "recent events" have raised questions, but that "there is no reason that the legitimate issues raised by many about this bill cannot be resolved," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has announced that there won't be a vote in his chamber next Tuesday on the Protect IP Act (PIPA).

That's the Senate's version of controversial legislation that supporters say would cut down on Internet piracy — but that opponents say would amount to censorship.

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The Two-Way
7:35 am
Fri January 20, 2012

VIDEO: Obama Sings In Harlem; Channels A Little Al Green

Credit Jewel Samad / AFP/Getty Images
President Obama at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem on Thursday (Jan. 19, 2012).
The Two-Way
6:55 am
Fri January 20, 2012

Report: Killings Of U.S., Allied Troops By Afghan Soldiers Is On The Rise

Credit Romeo Gacad / AFP/Getty Images
U.S. troops and Afghan National Army soldiers on a joint security patrol in Kandahar province last August.

"Four International Security Assistance Force service members were killed today in eastern Afghanistan by a member of the Afghan National Army," the NATO-led military command in Kabul reports.

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Local
6:46 am
Fri January 20, 2012

Businesses Move On After Factory Fire

Piles of debris remain at a large-manufacturing complex in northern Illinois.  The old Westclox factory in Peru sustained damage in a New Year’s Eve fire authorities say was caused by arsonists. 

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The Two-Way
6:20 am
Fri January 20, 2012

Four Headlines From Thursday's GOP Debate

Credit John Moore / Getty Images
Newt Gingrich (right) responds to a question a question about things one of his ex-wives said about their marriage during last night's debate in South Carolina. Mitt Romney, looks on.

While others analyze what Thursday's GOP presidential debate does or doesn't tell us about what may or may not happen Saturday when South Carolina Republicans hold their primary, here's the top news from that four-man clash in Charleston:

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Around the Nation
6:09 am
Fri January 20, 2012

Law Enforcement 'Tests' Accuracy Of Breathalyzer

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement faced accusations that a breathalyzer was giving inaccurate readings. So it commissioned a study. Fifteen employees consumed more than $300 worth of whiskey, mixers and Doritos, and then used the breathalyzer. Judges are considering whether the study was legitimate.

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