Morning Edition from NPR

In Syria, anyone who speaks out against the regime of President Bashar Assad risks harassment, detention and sometimes worse. One famous cartoonist who'd lampooned Assad was pulled out of his car last summer by pro-regime thugs and had his hands broken.

Public figures like singers and actors are under much pressure to keep silent. Even a small and critically acclaimed group of Syrian painters is not immune — but that might be attracting buyers outside Syria to their work.

Mortgage broker Freddie Mac named Donald Layton as its new chief executive officer. Layton worked for JPMorgan Chase for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2004.

Charles Baird will be alone on the island for one year. He'll able to send short text messages, but won't be receiving any. By freeing himself from all media, he expects to have enough time to make a documentary about himself.

JetBlue Airways apologized after removing a passenger from her flight because she was on a no-fly list. The passenger looks innocent enough — maybe because she's 18 months old. Her mother told WPBF-TV in Florida that the idea her daughter is a threat was "absurd" and "made no sense."

J.P. Morgan Chase reported $2 billion in losses over the last six weeks, and said there may be more to come. In a news conference shortly after the market closed Thursday, CEO Jamie Dimon said the losses stemmed from a credit default swap that was "poorly executed and poorly monitored."