Ruth Sherlock

The International Olympic Committee, the IOC, is reckoning with a stark truth.

The pool of countries that can host the Winter Olympics is shrinking dramatically.

The IOC cites a recent study warning that because of climate change, by the mid-century, only about 10 countries may be able to host snow events.

So the IOC is considering moving the event between a small permanent pool of climate-reliable hosts or spreading the events across a wide geographic area or even countries to find the best higher-altitude snow spots.

And they may move the games earlier, beginning in January, to avoid the snowmelt that often happens by this point in the season.

Ruth Sherlock, NPR News.

The row over Italian pasta became a diplomatic matter.

In the Italian Foreign Ministry, a special task force was set up to address the issue.

The US Department of Commerce had accused 13 Italian pasta brands of dumping practices when a company sells goods abroad at a cheaper price than in its domestic market.

They threatened a penalty of almost 92%.

Now, though, the US has sharply lowered the proposed duties following a preliminary review.

The Commerce Department says Italian exporters have addressed many of the concerns raised in an initial assessment.

Ruth Sherlock, NPR News.

The row over Italian pasta became a diplomatic matter.

In the Italian Foreign Ministry, a special task force was set up to address the issue.

The U.S.

Department of Commerce had accused 13 Italian pasta brands of dumping practices when a company sells goods abroad at a cheaper price than in its domestic market.

They threatened a penalty of almost 92%.

Now, though, the US has sharply lowered the proposed duties following a preliminary review.

The Commerce Department says Italian exporters have addressed many of the concerns raised in an initial assessment.