Talk of the Nation

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When Americans want to be a part of the national conversation, they turn to Talk of the Nation, NPR's live, midday news-talk program. Host Neal Conan leads a productive exchange of ideas and opinions on the issues that dominate the news landscape.

From breaking news, science, and education to religion and the arts, Talk of the Nation offers listeners the opportunity to join enlightening discussions with decision-makers, authors, academicians, and artists from around the world.

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Middle East
12:48 pm
Tue September 11, 2012

What We Know About Iran's Nuclear Program

Originally published on Sun September 16, 2012 7:26 am

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Neal Conan in Washington. There are new questions about Iran's nuclear program after a report from the IAEA late last month. The U.N. inspectors expressed frustration with Iran's tactics. At one site, Parchin, they worry that what may be critical evidence is being destroyed. At another, Fordow, they found that Iran has doubled the number of centrifuges available to enrich uranium, and now there's a report that Iran ran computer models of atomic warhead explosions.

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Environment
12:48 pm
Tue September 11, 2012

Arctic Sea Ice Melt Sets Record

Originally published on Tue September 11, 2012 1:46 pm

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

Every summer, some of the ice that covers the Arctic Ocean melts. Come mid-September, it begins to refreeze. Scientists began to monitor this cycle in the late 1970s, and this year, they saw less ice than ever before - a lot less ice. NPR science correspondent Richard Harris joins us here in Studio 3A. Richard, nice to have you on the program.

RICHARD HARRIS, BYLINE: Always a pleasure, Neal.

CONAN: And how big is this change?

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Around the Nation
12:48 pm
Tue September 11, 2012

Subdued Reflection On 9/11 Anniversary

Credit Chris Pedota-Pool / Getty Images
A flag sits atop one of the memorial panels at the World Trade Center site in New York City on Tuesday.

Originally published on Tue September 11, 2012 4:39 pm

On the morning of the eleventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the sound of bagpipes pierced the air at the site of the World Trade Center memorial in New York City.

At the Pentagon, in New York and in Shanksville, Pa., thousands of Americans came together to remember those who were killed in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

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From Our Listeners
12:48 pm
Tue September 11, 2012

Letters: Doctors And Health, Heroes And Bystanders

Originally published on Tue September 11, 2012 1:46 pm

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

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NPR Story
1:55 pm
Mon September 10, 2012

What College Kids Can Learn From 'The Zombie War'

Credit iStockphoto.com
Max Brooks World War Z is required reading for freshmen at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas.

Originally published on Tue September 11, 2012 2:26 pm

Several colleges and universities have adopted a common read program, where freshmen read the same book during the summer and discuss it once on campus.

Author Max Brooks' World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War is one of the less traditional books appearing on required reading lists. The book captures scenes from a global zombie apocalypse through a series of first-person accounts.

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