![A demonstrator shouts during a protest against housing evictions in Madrid last month. The sign to his right reads, "Stop evictions." A demonstrator shouts during a protest against housing evictions in Madrid last month. The sign to his right reads, "Stop evictions."](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121210185027im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/12/06/156338062-f814c57499f858732ac70a7e2f80dadf917dd7bc-s2.jpg)
A demonstrator shouts during a protest against housing evictions in Madrid last month. The sign to his right reads, "Stop evictions."
Spain's Crisis Leads To Rise Of Grass-Roots Groups
()The country's protest movement has evolved into a broad range of groups now filling the gaps left by the eroding welfare state. From doctors to teachers and homeowners to judges, Spaniards are organizing.
Shots - Health News
Buzz Off: Bedbugs Unfazed By Ultrasonic Devices()
![Bedbugs are becoming a common nuisance in many places. But cheap ultrasonic devices advertised as bedbug repellents don't work, scientists say. Bedbugs are becoming a common nuisance in many places. But cheap ultrasonic devices advertised as bedbug repellents don't work, scientists say.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121210185027im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/12/07/bedbug-ad0bf88855f25d094f0ee28af0c14a29ab7d7612-s1.jpg)
Once bedbugs settle in, the toll on your mental health and pocketbook can run high. So what about driving the bloodsucking insects off with high-pitched sounds? Scientists say gadgets that claim to do that are a waste of money.
Shots - Health News
As Childhood Strokes Increase, Surgeons Aim To Reduce Risks()
![Maribel Ramos, 13, has both sickle cell disease and an abnormality of blood vessels called moyamoya. Both put her at risk of stroke, and, together, they add up to a 95 percent chance of a major stroke. Maribel Ramos, 13, has both sickle cell disease and an abnormality of blood vessels called moyamoya. Both put her at risk of stroke, and, together, they add up to a 95 percent chance of a major stroke.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121210185027im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/12/05/maribel-at-home-2web-ac67cba2180b706f41b6e6ae834062bb2fded74a-s1.jpg)
Stroke is usually a problem that comes with age, but a surprising number of children have strokes, too. Many kids have conditions that put them at higher risk. But surgeons have developed a technique that cuts the risk in some of these kids by giving part of the brain a new blood supply.
The Two-Way
Can A 'Fiscal Cliff' Deal Be Both In And Out Of Reach? Yes()
![President Obama in the Oval Office, where there may be some more late night bargaining sessions before a deal is reached to keep the federal government from going over the "fiscal cliff." (December 2009 file photo.) President Obama in the Oval Office, where there may be some more late night bargaining sessions before a deal is reached to keep the federal government from going over the "fiscal cliff." (December 2009 file photo.)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121210185027im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/12/10/ovaloffice102way-ee48af4a435b8d6643443c101219f375179335aa-s1.jpg)
After President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner's face-to-face meeting, there's talk about an agreement soon being struck. But every such analysis also comes with many caveats.
The Two-Way
Royal Hoax: Nurse's Family 'Devastated,' Radio Hosts 'Shattered' By Her Death()
![Flowers and a note outside the apartments near King Edward VII Hospital in central London where Jacintha Saldanha and other nurses stayed. Flowers and a note outside the apartments near King Edward VII Hospital in central London where Jacintha Saldanha and other nurses stayed.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121210185027im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/12/10/flowers102way-569f085e2fee89ca5e95b29c021315c9978be9b2-s1.jpg)
Jacintha Saldanha transferred a call to another nurse. Two Australian DJs were pretending to be Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, and they were able to find out how the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge was feeling. Saldanha's suspected suicide, though, has turned a prank into a tragedy.
Asia
A Tumultuous Year, Seen Through North Korean Eyes()
![North Korean soldiers march during a military parade to mark 100 years since the birth of North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang on April 15. It was supposed to be the year North Korea would become a "strong and prosperous" nation. That hasn't exactly been the case. North Korean soldiers march during a military parade to mark 100 years since the birth of North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang on April 15. It was supposed to be the year North Korea would become a "strong and prosperous" nation. That hasn't exactly been the case.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121210185027im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/12/07/NorthKorea_1-f4b76f58fca0a8f18401c6a7a7d021fd39f6218a-s1.jpg)
The sudden death of North Korea's leader, the ascension of his little-known son, and a rocket-launch failure marked a rocky year for the reclusive nation. In rare interviews, several North Koreans tell NPR that expectations of a better life have not been met.
Superstorm Sandy: Before, During And Beyond
Everyone Chip In, Please: Crowdfunding Sandy ()
![Jenny Adams in the Wayland Bar in Alphabet City, where she stored piles of relief supplies to distribute. Adams raised $10,000 through a crowdfunding website to help her neighbors affected by Hurricane Sandy. Jenny Adams in the Wayland Bar in Alphabet City, where she stored piles of relief supplies to distribute. Adams raised $10,000 through a crowdfunding website to help her neighbors affected by Hurricane Sandy.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121210185027im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/12/07/jenny_promo-8846d53403d14b4c96e171c3648b80524f9dee53-s1.jpg)
WNYCCrowdfunding is a simple way for anyone to ask for money online from friends, family and even strangers. One woman raised $10,000 to help her neighbors affected by Hurricane Sandy. She's been hand-delivering checks to owners of damaged businesses and people who just need the extra lift.
Media
'Orange County Register' Presses Hum With Optimism()
![Copies of The Orange County Register slide through the presses. The Register is the country's 20th most-read daily, with a circulation of about 285,000. Copies of The Orange County Register slide through the presses. The Register is the country's 20th most-read daily, with a circulation of about 285,000.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121210185027im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/12/07/20121103_ocregister196-d1a2d10fb5340069494b34014bbc0f84d958707b-s1.jpg)
SCPRThe suburban Los Angeles paper is expanding its newsroom and emphasizing print over digital. Trying to dig the Register out of a financial hole, the new owners see promise in an expanded print edition with more color and more content.