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Transforming traditional songs — and writing new ones — makes both money and good times.

President Obama's campaign recently urged supporters to stock up on 2012 merchandise for the holidays. Not to be outdone, the Republican White House candidates are hawking their own ballcaps and bumper stickers. Here, an NPR guide to campaign swag.

China's "one-child" policy has repressed and stabilized the number of births, but the market for baby products has exploded. The growth is driven by rising incomes and the intense focus on the single child with interesting twists. For instance, baby formula sales have gone way up because people are now spending more money on foreign formula products because they no longer trust Chinese companies after the melamine poisoning of several years ago.

In 17 years of international play, American Samoa has scored just a dozen goals — compared to the 229 they've allowed. But they scored two this week to beat Tonga 2-1 in a World Cup qualifying match.

Jay-Z is one of the most successful hip-hop artists of all time. On Fresh Air, he discusses growing up in Brooklyn surrounded by drugs and violence, and the stories behind many of his famous songs.

For people with hearing loss, trying to hear in noisy places like airports and theaters, can be tough. But advocates are spreading word of not-so-new technology that allows sound from loudspeakers to be transmitted directly to hearing aids, cutting through the background noise.

A new kind of shoplifting has hit stores in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. "Flash robs" occur when a group of people organized over social media steal by mobbing a store. Police are advising store employees not to try and stop the robbers, and to take steps to make the quick removal of items difficult.

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.