![The Niemeyer Center for the arts will shut its doors on Dec. 15 after being open for only nine months in Aviles, Spain. It's a victim of political squabbling during difficult economic times. The Niemeyer Center for the arts will shut its doors on Dec. 15 after being open for only nine months in Aviles, Spain. It's a victim of political squabbling during difficult economic times.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20111207154342im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/02/aviles_spain2.jpg?t=1322875979&s=2)
The Niemeyer Center for the arts will shut its doors on Dec. 15 after being open for only nine months in Aviles, Spain. It's a victim of political squabbling during difficult economic times.
Curtain Could Fall On A Dazzling Arts Center In Spain
()The Niemeyer Center for the arts in northern Spain is slated to close on Dec. 15, after barely nine months of operation, because of budget cuts. The fate of the Niemeyer could be an omen for the future, as conservative politicians slash funding for the arts and public projects.
Around the Nation
Migrants Say They're Unwilling Mules For Cartels()
![A Border Patrol agent looks for footprints from illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.- Mexico border in 2010. Traffickers have begun using immigrants as drug smugglers, recruiting voluntarily and forcibly. A Border Patrol agent looks for footprints from illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.- Mexico border in 2010. Traffickers have begun using immigrants as drug smugglers, recruiting voluntarily and forcibly.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20111207154342im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/01/107408404.jpg?t=1322946885&s=1)
December 4, 2011 Traffickers are reportedly forcing illegal border crossers to smuggle drugs into the U.S. For courts along the border, it's a struggle to decide how to deal with terrified migrants, especially when there's no proof to their claims.
Economy
How Europe's Troubles Could Become Ours, Too()
![Daniel Kryger, left, works with fellow traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. If the European Union can't agree on a plan, its debt crisis could lead to the kind of financial chaos that economists say surely would hurt the United States. Daniel Kryger, left, works with fellow traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. If the European Union can't agree on a plan, its debt crisis could lead to the kind of financial chaos that economists say surely would hurt the United States.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20111207154342im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/03/us_euro_debt_promo.jpg?t=1322957602&s=1)
December 4, 2011 If Greece, Spain, Italy or other European governments were to suddenly default on their debts, European banks could find themselves holding worthless assets and becoming insolvent. That could lead to a global financial meltdown worse than the one in 2008.
Around the Nation
Poor Economy Defers Small Idaho Town's Dream()
![Fairfield, Idaho, is struggling. Once poised for expansion, the town has high unemployment and a shrinking population. Fairfield, Idaho, is struggling. Once poised for expansion, the town has high unemployment and a shrinking population.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20111207154342im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/04/fairfield-wideshot.jpg?t=1323009296&s=1)
December 4, 2011 Unemployment is especially stubborn in rural places. In central Idaho, the recession has left Fairfield struggling for survival. Not long ago, it was poised for growth, but this summer, unemployment topped 16 percent.
Sunday Puzzle
Making Changes Is Up To You()
December 4, 2011 Change one letter in each word of a made-up, two-word phrase to get two new words that will start a familiar proverb or saying. Determining which letters to change is up to you.
Music Interviews
The Black Keys: Necessary Roughness()
![Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney release El Camino, their latest album as The Black Keys, on Dec. 6. Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney release El Camino, their latest album as The Black Keys, on Dec. 6.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20111207154342im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/02/keys2.jpg?t=1322878035&s=1)
December 4, 2011 Members of the blues-rock band say playing live in the same room is vital to getting the sound they want on record — and that often means embracing imperfections.
Animals
Name That Tune: Identifying Whale Songs For Science()
![Two killer whales swim in the austral seas off the Crozet Archipelago. Two killer whales swim in the austral seas off the Crozet Archipelago.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20111207154342im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/03/whales_promo.jpg?t=1323020040&s=1)
December 4, 2011 Researchers need your help to unlock the secrets of whale songs. A new online experiment is recruiting citizen scientists to study killer and pilot whale calls from around the world.
The Record
Spotify Is Good For The Music Industry, Its CEO Says()
![Daniel Ek, CEO of Spotify, speaks at a news conference in New York on Wednesday. Daniel Ek, CEO of Spotify, speaks at a news conference in New York on Wednesday.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20111207154342im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/03/gettyimages_134296828.jpg?t=1322958036&s=1)
December 4, 2011 The 28-year-old founder of the subscription music service stands by his company's business model.
Monkey See
Not Just Any Set: Behind The Scenes At 'Funny Or Die'()
![Mark Duplass and Ken Marino star in the new video "The First A.D.," a video at the successful website Funny Or Die. Mark Duplass and Ken Marino star in the new video "The First A.D.," a video at the successful website Funny Or Die.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20111207154342im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/03/funnyordie.jpg?t=1322972139&s=1)
December 4, 2011 Neda Ulaby visits the set of a video from the comedy website Funny Or Die, and she examines how funny videos have become a successful business.
Author Interviews
Short And Sweet Status Updates Tell Their Own Story()
![Bird Dog Bird Dog](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20111207154342im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/02/lou_beach_lg_bird-dog.jpg?t=1322867127&s=1)
December 4, 2011 In 420 Characters, Lou Beach crafts micro-stories, each the length of a previous character limit on Facebook statuses. What began as a writing exercise for the accomplished illustrator will soon be a published book.