State and National News

Cal Ripken Jr. knows streaks. The Baseball Hall of Famer played 21 years with the Baltimore Orioles and holds the record for most consecutive games played.

We've invited Ripken to play a game called "You want to see a real streak? Here, hold my pants." Ripken is known for playing 2,632 consecutive games, but we don't think it counts as a streak because he was wearing clothes. We'll ask him three questions about sports' real streakers.

Our panelists tell stories of parents going the extra mile to toughen up their kids, only one of which is true.

Simon Pegg is living every nerd's dream: He grew up watching Star Wars, Star Trek and horror movies, then started making movies of his own. He played Scotty in the new version of Star Trek and is starring in Steven Spielberg's latest, Paul.

We've invited Pegg to play a game called: "And he makes a poke check while head-deking in the crease!" Three questions about an obscure little game called "ice hockey."

Our panelists tell stories of summertime leisure made even more leisurely, only one of which is true.

Sometimes, politicians eat their words. This week, the British government reversed course on a plan to place a 20 percent tax on all foods sold hot — with no exemption for pasties.

Pasties are hand food, baked for Cornish miners to eat when they could put aside their pickaxes. People eat pasties today as they sit on a bench for a few minutes' respite or walk along the street between chores. They have become comfort, convenience, pub-crawling and football-watching food.

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SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

You know, if Facebook were a Broadway show, they'd be firing the director and rewriting the script. Facebook share price closed this week at $27.72. That's more than a 25 percent drop from its initial public offering price. The social networks debut as a publically traded company last month has been panned, questioned and trouble by a Securities and Exchange Commission probe and shareholder lawsuits.

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SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon. There's a showdown between American sisters and the Vatican. The Vatican is cracking down on the largest organization for U.S. sisters, called the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Pope Benedict has appointed an archbishop to oversee and reform the organization, accusing it of what amounts to doctrinal dissidence. Now, the sisters are fighting back - at least verbally. We're joined by NPR's religion correspondent, Barbara Bradley Hagerty. Barbara, thanks for being with us.

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SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

So, why is job growth slowing? Well, part of the problem, as we just heard, appears to be in Europe. The economic turmoil there is looking worse, and that has ripped into the U.S. economy and slowing down hiring. NPR's Chris Arnold has more from Boston.

CHRIS ARNOLD, BYLINE: The weather this week was beautiful in Boston, so it's perfect for tourists having lunch outside by the harbor or taking a trolley bus around to do some sightseeing.

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SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

Time now for sports!

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SIMON: It's the French Open and you know, already, there's almost not an American left in Paris - Andy Roddick, Serena and Venus Williams all out already. And elsewhere, the NBA semifinals are in full swing. But let's hold the hardwood and go first to the clay. Howard Bryant of ESPN.com and ESPN the magazine joins us now from the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris. Howard, thanks for being with us.

HOWARD BRYANT: Hey, Scott, how are you doing?