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French philosopher Denis Diderot was the driving force behind one of the first compendiums of human knowledge, but his contributions have been largely lost to history. Now, the anniversary of his birth has prompted calls to reinter his remains in Paris' Pantheon, alongside the likes of Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

The impasse continues. Meanwhile, parts of the federal government remain closed. Among the latest developments: President Obama has invited leaders of both parties to a Wednesday evening meeting at the White House.

The number of people who leave their countries to work abroad is soaring, according to the United Nations, which is meeting on the subject this week. More than 200 million people now live and work outside their country of origin, up from 150 million a decade ago.

Nineteen companies agreed to pay more than $350,000 in penalties to settle accusations that they wrote or bought phony online reviews of their products, services or restaurants.

New York's attorney general announced penalties Monday for attempts to manipulate consumers. Nearly 20 companies admit to writing fake online reviews on consumer-oriented websites.

The typhoon, which stormed ashore north of Hong Kong on Sunday evening, has been blamed for at least 25 deaths in south China's Guangdong province. Some 8,490 houses reportedly collapsed in the typhoon's winds, officials say.

Historic shops in Syria's largest city burned as rebels and government fighters continue to battle for control of Aleppo. Activists estimate 30,000 people have been killed so far. NPR's Deborah Amos and Andrew Tabler of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy weigh in on the crisis in Syria.

Mid-Autumn Festival is a major Chinese holiday when families gather to light lanterns and eat mooncakes. An NPR producer waxes nostalgic about the hockey-puck pastries at the center of celebrations.

That's the collective nickname Harlem-ites used for them: white women who risked family exile and social ostracism to be part of the movement. They were philanthropists and thrill seekers,educators and artists, hostesses and lovers. Carla Kaplan tells their stories in Miss Anne in Harlem.

In his book Concrete Planet, author Robert Courland discusses why the concrete first used by the Romans is more durable than the concrete used in most present day buildings. Plus, mineralogist Peter Stemmerman tells us about his invention, Celitement and why it is greener than Portland cement.