It's All Politics
7:49 am
Wed February 8, 2012

Did Santorum Win Big or Win Squat? What's a Nation to Believe?

Credit Whitney Curtis / Getty Images
Republican presidential hopeful and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum speaks to supporters, flanked by his daughter, Elizabeth (left), and wife, Karen.

Pity the poor news junkie, waiting bleary-eyed at the witching hour, wondering how to feel about the latest events in the Republican nominating contest.

One news source — let's say it's a cable news operation — says the latest round of GOP presidential preference contests is a huge boost to the flagging fortunes of Rick Santorum, the winner of the night's trifecta. The cable outlets all air tape of Santorum's triumphant victory speech again and again. He surely looks like a winner.

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The Two-Way
7:35 am
Wed February 8, 2012

Santorum's Wins: Huge? Meaningless? In Between?

Credit Whitney Curtis / Getty Images
Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum celebrated his victories at a rally in St. Charles, Mo.

Last night "belonged to Rick Santorum, who went three-for-three in Tuesday's Republican contests," as Eyder wrote on It's All Politics very early this morning.

The former Pennsylvania senator took first place in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri.

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Around the Nation
7:00 am
Wed February 8, 2012

Maine Film Festival Shows Off Mustaches

Trophy categories include Best 'Stache Growth Story and Best 'Stache Shaving Story. It is an international film festival and founder Nick Callanan says submissions are coming in from three continents.

The Two-Way
7:00 am
Wed February 8, 2012

Report: Pentagon 'Beginning Review Of Syria Options'

As the U.S. continues to search for diplomatic solution to the crisis in Syria, "the Pentagon and the U.S. Central Command have begun a preliminary internal review of U.S. military capabilities," CNN is reporting.

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Around the Nation
6:52 am
Wed February 8, 2012

Trump Chosen To Revamp Historic Old Post Office

Donald Trump won't be living in the White House, but his brand will be a few blocks away. The Obama administration has chosen Trump to redevelop the Old Post Office. His company plans to build a luxury hotel in that stone Victorian landmark in Washington, D.C.

Middle East
5:00 am
Wed February 8, 2012

5 Reasons Why Israel Might Bomb Iran, Or Not

Credit Baz Ratner / AFP/Getty Images
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said often that he will not allow Iran to become a nuclear-armed state. Here he arrives for a Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Feb. 5.

Will Israel bomb Iran or not?

Israel says it hasn't decided. But top Israeli figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, suggest that the country will have to make a choice soon.

Israel believes Iran will soon have the capacity to make a nuclear weapon. Not everyone shares this assessment, and Iran insists its program is only for civilian purposes.

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Business
4:00 am
Wed February 8, 2012

To Get Bailout, Greece Must Reduce Minimum Wage

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

The deal Greek officials are working on includes several more painful concessions. Among them, reducing the minimum wage.

Joanna Kakissis reports from Athens on how strong unions secured those wages and why some economists say those guarantees have to go.

JOANNA KAKISSIS, BYLINE: The minimum wage in Greece is about one $1,000 a month before taxes. International lenders say it must be reduced to about $780 a month to make the Greek economy more competitive.

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Asia
4:00 am
Wed February 8, 2012

India's Coffee Consumption Doubles Over Last Decade

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Starbucks last week announced a plan to open stores in India by the end of the year. Let's follow up on that. This move might certify India as a rising coffee-drinking power, but it also signals a cultural change in a country that is devoted to tea. Elliot Hannon reports from New Delhi.

ELLIOT HANNON, BYLINE: The sound of a barista hard at work may be a familiar one in the U.S. or in Europe.

UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Cappucino would be fine, ma'am?

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Business
4:00 am
Wed February 8, 2012

Investors Confident Greek Debt Crisis Will Be Fixed

Transcript

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

NPR's business news starts with investors hopeful again.

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Business
4:00 am
Wed February 8, 2012

U.S.Firm Wins Contract To Print Olympic Tickets

Some British companies are fuming over where the tickets for this summer's London Olympic games are being printed. Specialty printer Weldon, Williams and Lick in Fort Smith, Arkansas, won the contract.

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