Biden's approval ratings improve; the global effects of Russia's invasion; the power of lentil soup

Plus, are we ready for a four-day work week? [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen Good morning. [Millions of people across 22 states are under weather alert this week](. Some will see beautiful warm weather before the cold hits. Here's what we're following today: 🥇 First up [In this file photo, President Biden smiles as he speaks after touring the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company facility under construction in Phoenix, on Dec. 6, 2022.]( Ross D. Franklin/AP Democrats are growing more confident in Biden. His approval ratings are the highest they've been in almost a year. In contrast, Trump — who is hoping to get his job back in the next election — is [scoring his worst in years]( among Republicans. 🎧 Listen to [what's affecting their scores](. Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago, and the effects of the war have been felt far beyond its epicenter. It's set off a geopolitical realignment, [launched a refugee crisis]( disrupted the global food supply and more. Nearly all of the 61 companies in the U.K. that participated in a four-day workweek pilot program have decided to continue with the reduced schedule. Employees [reported less work-related stress]( lower rates of burnout and higher job satisfaction, while companies reported increased revenue and lower absenteeism. The Environmental Protection Agency has taken control over cleanup efforts after a train derailment in Ohio earlier this month that released hazardous chemicals into the environment. An administrator promised not to let Norfolk Southern off the hook, and said the company would "[pay for cleaning up the mess that they created]( and the trauma that they inflicted." --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- 📸 Picture show [A doctor pushes a baby cart down the hallway in a maternity hospital in Kyiv.]( Claire Harbage/NPR Ukraine had one of the lowest birth rates on the planet. Then, Russia invaded. The war has cemented the decision for many couples to [opt out of having babies]( in a country already struggling. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🎧 Today’s listen [A woman tends to lentil soup at a municipal soup kitchen in Gaziantep, Turkey. On the first day after the quake, the kitchen's director says they distributed soup to more than 200,000 people.]( Claire Harbage/NPR Amid a humanitarian crisis in quake-ravaged Turkey, one hero has remained a consistent source of warmth: lentil soup. 🎧 Listen to [how the humble dish is warming the displaced]( fueling rescue crews and comforting residents traumatized by the disaster, or r[ead the story](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🛑 Before you go [Cynthia Page recalls a night 50 years ago when a man helped her get away from a group of strangers who surrounded her in a train station.]( Cynthia Page - Cynthia Page was alone in a train station trying to get home from New York City when [men surrounded her](. 🎧 Listen to her talk about the [unsung hero]( who helped her get away. - Books by Roald Dahl, such as Matilda and James and the Giant Peach, are being edited to remove words that could be deemed offensive. [Readers are outraged](. - Karen Green hit the jackpot when her [unopened first-gen 2007 iPhone]( was recently auctioned for more than $63,000. - Arby's+? More restaurants are trying subscription programs to keep [customers coming back](. - In a Richmond-area special election, Virginia elected Democratic state Sen. Jennifer McClellan to be the [first Black woman]( to represent Virginia in Congress. --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 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]( [NPR logo]