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Shoppers flooded stores across the country as the holiday shopping season officially got under way and people rushed to grab deals on electronics, toys and other merchandise. But retailers' big day was marred by reports of attempted robbery, fighting, and of a woman who allegedly pepper sprayed other customers.

This year's 21st First Annual IgNobel Prize Ceremony featured the science of sighs, inquiries into the yawning habits of the red-footed tortoise, and songs about the chemistry of coffee. Ira Flatow and Ig master of ceremonies Marc Abrahams present some of the highlights from this year's festivities.

The dismal economy has taken a toll on nonprofits. Donations are down. One nonprofit, Free Arts of Arizona, which uses art as therapy for the children of abused women, has had to make layoffs and budget cuts.

Launched Saturday morning, the six-wheeled Mars Science Laboratory boasts a suite of high-tech instruments to study the planet's geology. It will land on the planet in August 2012, lowered gently to the surface on a cable by a rocket-powered helicopter.

The sides reached a tentative agreement early Saturday to end the 149-day lockout and hope to begin the delayed season with a marquee triple-header Dec. 25. Most of a season that seemed in jeopardy of being lost entirely will be salvaged if both sides approve the handshake deal.

After a marathon bargaining session that lasted into the wee hours of Saturday morning, owners and players representatives emerged with an agreement that should lead to a new contract. Host Scott Simon talks with NPR's Mike Pesca about the tentative labor deal between NBA owners and players.

Tom Wicker, one of postwar America's most distinguished journalists, has died at the age of 85. Host Scott Simon has a remembrance.

The nation's retailers are hoping consumers open their wallets and spend this holiday shopping season. Amid all the worries about the economy and high unemployment, there are some early indications that this year might be slightly better than last. NPR's Yuki Noguchi reports.

In Russia's capital, hitchhiking is a part of life. To avoid the burden of finding a cab, most Muscovites just flag down a passing car and negotiate a price. Often the ride is an adventure, but that's about to change. NPR's David Greene goes hitchhiking in Moscow.

Turkish rhetoric has now escalated to the fullest, with Friday's call by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for Syrian President Bashar Assad to leave power. Turkey insists it won't move unilaterally, but pressure is building to protect civilian life in Syria.