Business

Goods Returns Strain Online Shopping Supply Chain

4:29pm December 25, 2020

by David Schaper

A sharp increase in online shopping this year means an increased number of things consumers will want to return. But the supply chain made to quickly deliver goods is not so nimble in the reverse.

Mike Santoro, (left) and Todd Coleman prepare for a day of Pork 'N Pine deliveries in South Baltimore.

National

In Baltimore, These Santa Clauses Bring Pork And Christmas Trees To Your Door

11:11am December 25, 2020

by Emily Sullivan

Pork 'N Pine owners Todd Coleman and Mike Santoro dress as Santa, load the trees on their bikes, pack a cooler full of pulled pork sandwiches and deliver this bit of joy to residents across the city.

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Many Americans are visiting Mexico's beaches during the pandemic. Above, fishing boats are docked at a marina in Los Cabos, Mexico, on June 2.

World News

'We Feel Safe': Americans Keep Visiting Mexico Despite Pandemic Risks

8:00am December 25, 2020

by Carrie Kahn

U.S. tourists aren't welcome in most countries because of the surging coronavirus. But Mexico lets them in, with no quarantine or test requirements.

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Bug-Riddled 'Cyberpunk 2077' Has A Difficult But Manageable Path Forward

7:31am December 25, 2020

by Ziad Buchh

Years of anticipation and delays finally paid off earlier this month when the video game Cyberpunk 2077 was released. But technical bugs and glitches left many gamers disappointed.

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Health & Safety

INTERPOL Warns People About Counterfeit Coronavirus Vaccines

6:57am December 25, 2020

by Cardiff Garcia

The first doses of COVID-19 vaccines are being administered. Our Planet Money team delves into the dark web to learn more about the counterfeit vaccines that are being sold around the world.

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Ohio City Temporarily Gets Into The Food Delivery Business

6:57am December 25, 2020

by Annie Wu

Beachwood, Ohio, is among a few municipalities providing free food delivery to city residents. It's the city's version of economic development for its restaurants during the pandemic.

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Kathleen Murray gave family members Advent calendars that, alongside candy, included hand sanitizer and masks. "It's the closest thing to safety that you can give them," she said.

For Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me ... Hand Sanitizer, Because It's 2020

5:38pm December 24, 2020

by Alina Selyukh

All year, cleaning products have been flying off the shelves — now, they're flying straight into Christmas stockings and wrapping paper.

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A protester holds up an eviction-related sign in Washington, D.C. The coronavirus rescue package just passed in Congress sets aside $25 billion for rental assistance and extends a CDC order aimed at preventing evictions.

COVID-19 Relief Bill Could Stave Off Historic Wave Of Evictions

5:08pm December 24, 2020

by Chris Arnold

A rental assistance program in the bill is key for helping millions of struggling renters at risk of losing their homes in the middle of winter as the pandemic rages on.

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A pro-EU demonstrator sets up banners outside a London conference center, where trade talks were being held on Dec. 4.

World News

'Time To Leave Brexit Behind': EU And U.K. Agree To Last-Minute Trade Deal

4:05pm December 24, 2020

by Frank Langfitt

The agreement comes a week before the Brexit transition period ends. The pact averts a worst-case divorce that would have hurt the EU economy but damaged the British economy even more.

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On a corrective podcast, Michael Barbaro — host of the New York Times podcast The Daily — did not disclose several key facts about his own connection to those who created the discredited Caliphate series.

Host of 'The Daily' Clouds 'N.Y. Times' Effort To Restore Trust After 'Caliphate'

3:29pm December 24, 2020

by David Folkenflik

The New York Times issued a big mea culpa, and returned a Peabody award and a citation as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize after retracting the core of its hit podcast series Caliphate.

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