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Trump Gets Jumped at GOP Debate Sep 17, 2015

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Eleven Republican candidates for president got three hours of exposure last night on CNN. Some 23 million people watched a debate that was as contentious as the network's moderators could make it. We hear how front-runner Donald Trump handled himself and how ten competitors handled him.

Will the Fed Raise Interest Rates? Sep 16, 2015

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Record-low interest rates have helped lift the economy out of the Great Recession, but now there's worry about inflation. Would a rate-increase threaten employment? This week, Janet Yellin and the Federal Reserve are pondering a crucial decision.

Will Crime Spikes Stall Criminal Justice Reform? Sep 15, 2015

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The US locks up more people than any other country — especially blacks and Hispanics imprisoned for non-violent drug crimes. Republicans agree with Democrats it's a waste of money, and bipartisan criminal-justice reforms are pending in both houses of Congress. Will they be stopped in their tracks by recent reports that crime is on the increase?

Russia Sends Troops and Military Supplies into Syria Sep 14, 2015

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As Europe struggles to deal with a massive refugee crisis, the largest numbers are fleeing from Syria's civil war. Russia and the US are on different sides of that conflict — but they do share a common enemy in ISIS. We hear what that could mean as circumstances change on the ground.

Is the US Doing Enough for the Refugees? Sep 11, 2015

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The nations of Europe are divided over what to do about tens of thousands of refugees from Syria's civil war. The US is also divided between its historic offer of liberty to the world's "huddled masses" and fears about homeland security.

Will Single-Issue Politics Lead to a Government Shutdown? Sep 10, 2015

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Congress has so much unfinished business and time is growing so short that the federal government faces another shutdown at the end of this month. We hear how it may become hostage to a single, hot-button political issue: funding for Planned Parenthood.

If the Iran Accord Goes Through, What Happens Next? Sep 09, 2015

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The Iran nuclear deal is closer than ever to becoming reality with opponents in trouble — not just in the Senate, but also in Congress. But, even if the "Resolution of Disapproval" fails in both houses, disagreement over the deal itself may continue — into the first term of the next President.

Saudi Arabia: Friend or Foe? Sep 08, 2015

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Saudi Arabia says it can live with the Iran nuclear deal after all — especially since President Obama has promised new military assistance. As the US bolsters the traditional alliance, critics are raising questions about the Kingdom's human rights record, the bombing of Yemen and the money that helps spread a radical form of Islam.

Do You Really Own Your Own Face? Sep 07, 2015

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Privacy advocates are warning about the loss of public anonymity from face-recognition technology that's ubiquitous thanks to Facebook and other software companies. We hear about the risks as well as the benefits.

Are "Smart Drugs" the Magic Pill to Getting a Workplace Edge? Sep 04, 2015

Show notes

College students, programmers, musicians, all sorts of people looking for an edge are finding it in a flood of new over and under the counter drugs that promise to make them faster, sharper, and more alert. We look at the rise of Modafinil and other "smart drugs."

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