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The Two-Way
9:46 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 12:58 pm

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
8:34 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
7:55 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Dry Cleaner Opens In World's Most Dangerous City

Originally published on Mon June 11, 2012 3:03 pm

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

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The Two-Way
7:53 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
7:48 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Typo Spotted In Maryland County's Diplomas

Originally published on Mon June 11, 2012 3:03 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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The Two-Way
7:08 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 1:45 pm

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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Book Reviews
7:03 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 6:59 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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Africa
5:19 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Revolutionary Road Trip Moves On To Libya

Originally published on Mon June 11, 2012 3:03 pm

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Our MORNING EDITION colleague Steve Inskeep is in the midst of a revolutionary road trip: a journey through North African nations at the center of the Arab Spring. Now, as Steve was preparing for his trip from Tunisia through Libya and to Cairo, he spoke with a journalist who has covered Libya for years.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Her name is Lindsey Hilsum, author of the new book, "Sandstorm," about last year's revolution that overthrew Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi. Hilsum pays particular attention to that country's women.

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Movies
5:19 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Kenneth Turan Reviews Prometheus

Originally published on Mon June 11, 2012 3:03 pm

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Ridley Scott has made two of the most acclaimed science fiction films, "Alien" and "Blade Runner." Los Angeles Times and MORNING EDITION film critic Kenneth Turan has this review of the director's newest sci-fi effort, "Prometheus."

KENNETH TURAN, BYLINE: "Prometheus" ends up with less to say than it thinks it does. It's more involving than many of this year's summer blockbuster competition, but by the standards of the director's earlier films, it's a disappointment.

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Around the Nation
5:19 am
Fri June 8, 2012

Hollywood Palladium Is On The Market

Originally published on Mon June 11, 2012 3:03 pm

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

OK. Let's go from the futuristic to a show biz monument from the past. The Hollywood Palladium is up for sale, according to according to the Hollywood Reporter. It's well known as a concert venue, hosting musicians ranging from James Brown to the Rolling Stones to Jay-Z. But we want to bring you back to the Palladium's beginnings as a stylish art deco ballroom back in 1940.

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