New Russia Investigation Report; Fight Malaria —- With Soup; Can Computers Find Spies?

Plus, it’s the 50th anniversary of “Mahna Mahna” (begin music in your head … now) by Korva Coleman and Suzette Lohmeyer First Up [Russia report release image]( Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Here's what we're following today. The Russia investigation was "properly" predicated and an internal watchdog found no evidence of political bias — but there were numerous problems with the surveillance of a junior campaign aide to Donald Trump, says [a new report unveiled]( on Monday. [Read the report here](. Russia can’t compete under their flag at international events for the next four years, including the upcoming Summer Olympics or the 2022 World Cup, says the World Anti-Doping Agency; the reason is noncompliance. “For too long, [Russian doping has detracted]( from clean sport,” WADA President Sir Craig Reedie said as his agency announced the penalty. Thirty years ago, a team of investigators set out to find one of the most damaging spies in U.S. history. It took three years. Could today’s computer [algorithms uncover insider threats]( any faster? The FBI is investigating last Friday’s shooting that left three people dead and injured eight at Naval Air Station Pensacola as terrorism. The [shooter has been identified]( as a 21-year-old Saudi member of the kingdom’s air force who was in the U.S. to receive flight training. At least five people are dead after a volcanic island off the coast of New Zealand erupted Monday. Authorities believe fewer than [50 New Zealanders and international tourists]( were on or near White Island, but the exact number of people unaccounted for is unclear. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- The Daily Good The latest way to fight malaria — minestrone soup. [Fight malaria with minestrone soup image]( hmproudlove/Getty Images It's not so far-fetched to search for medical breakthroughs in your grandma’s kitchen, says Jake Baum, a professor of cell biology and infectious diseases at Imperial College London. In what was supposed to be a fun exercise in science at an elementary school, Baum discovered that [certain soups have medicinal properties]( against infections — including malaria. --------------------------------------------------------------- Impeachment Update Democrats in the House are taking the next step toward impeaching the president, presenting evidence of what they see as President Trump’s impeachable conduct. Republican ranking member Doug Collins of Georgia argued [Democrats are only pursuing impeachment]( because of a “personal vendetta.” Joe Biden is dismissing calls from President Trump and his allies that he testify during an impeachment trial in the Senate, saying any effort to compel Biden’s testimony should be viewed as part of a [strategy to distract]( from the president’s conduct. You can read the [full transcript of Biden’s interview]( with NPR here. --------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Listens A 2-year-old was spellbound by Michelle Obama’s portrait — and wrote a book about it. [Parker looks up image]( Mhari Shaw/NPR When she was 2, Parker Curry became a viral sensation when a museumgoer took a picture of her standing there, spellbound at Michelle Obama’s official portrait at the National Portrait Gallery. Less than a week later, Parker got to meet – and dance — with Obama. Parker, now 4, and her mom have written a book based on the experience, Parker Looks Up. (Listening time, 4:17) [► LISTEN]( Need a happy tune in your head? It’s the 50th anniversary of “Mahna Mahna." It started as a goofy sketch featuring Jim Henson’s Muppets singing a very catchy song that appeared on Sesame Street back in 1969. It turned into an ageless earworm. Here’s a look into the surprising history of “Mahna Mahna” (hint: it can be traced all the way back to a sexy Italian film). (Listening time, 3:20) [► LISTEN]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Picture Show Big money builds a new kind of national park. [New kind of national park image]( Claire Harbage/NPR A privately funded organization is creating a 3.2 million-acre wildlife sanctuary in northeastern Montana. The project’s goal is to rewild this swath of the Great Plains and [return all the animals that lived]( on this landscape more than a century ago, before white settlers arrived: wolves, grizzly bears, thousands of genetically pure, wild bison. But not everyone is happy about it. --------------------------------------------------------------- In Memoriam Beloved actor who portrayed Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, dies at 85. [Caroll Spinney image]( Sesame Street YouTube Caroll Spinney, who [played two of the most iconic Sesame Street characters]( for five decades, was key in how Big Bird was developed as a character. Spinney was originally directed to play Big Bird as “a funny, dumb country yokel,” Spinney told NPR in a 2015 interview but convinced Jim Henson that it’d be better to play Big Bird instead as a very big, feathered 6-year-old. “I said, I think I should play him like he’s a child, a surrogate,” he remembered. “He can be all the things that children are. He can learn with the kids.” Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, a rock star economist. Robert Kavesh, a professor at New York University, remembers his lifelong friend in this way: “The [economic hero of post-World War II]( America I would have to say was Paul Volcker. And that’s saying something.” Fast-rising rapper Juice WRLD dies at 21. [Rapper Juice WRLD]( has died after a medical emergency at Chicago’s Midway Airport. In March, the rapper hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with his album Death Race for Love; earlier this week, Spotify announced that he was among the top five male artists streamed in the U.S. this year. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before You Go [Gorgona National Park snakes image]( Favero/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images - [SSSSStay awhile]( This former Colombian prison island is a draw for tourists and a home for snakes. - The [Golden Globes nominations are out]( and Netflix has cleaned out the competition. - Does [fasting help with weight loss]( This study says yes, if you eat within a 10-hour time frame and then refrain for 14 more. - NPR’s All Songs Considered reviewed the year in music, and the albums that seemed to resonate the most in 2019 overflow with [love and defiant optimism](. - There is a [new way to calculate your dog's age]( (yes, we have been doing it wrong). Pocket Casts App, Now Free Podcast lovers, rejoice! The Pocket Casts app delivers a simple but powerful experience for listening, search and discovery. And now it’s free. Download now at [PocketCasts.com]( or find it in the Apple App or Google Play stores. --------------------------------------------------------------- What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [dailynewsletter@npr.org](mailto:dailynewsletter@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy](