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National

Federal Agencies Investigate Airline Laser Incidents

Federal agencies are investigating a series of incidents involving lasers shined into the eyes of pilots during commercial flights. The lasers can cause eye injury and disorientation. All the flights landed safely. NPR's Luke Burbank reports.

Federal Agencies Investigate Airline Laser Incidents

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Business

US Airways Tries to Make Up for Christmas Debacle

US Air attempts to make up for its dismal performance over the Christmas holiday by providing VIP treatment to travelers this weekend. The troubled airline cancelled flights and misplaced thousands of bags during the holiday. Now it is asking its workers to volunteer -- handing out potato chips and cocoa to passengers in Philadelphia in hopes of getting back in their good graces. NPR's Frank Langfitt reports.

US Airways Tries to Make Up for Christmas Debacle

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Politics

Justice Renounces Torture

The Justice Department backs away from a narrow and controversial definition of torture. A new memo says torture violates U.S. and international law. The White House came under criticism for a 2002 memo that said President Bush had authority superseding U.S. laws against torture during times of war. NPR's Carrie Kahn reports.

Justice Revises Torture Policy

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Diversions

Some Things to Look Forward to in 2005

NPR's Melissa Block looks at some unusual trends and events in 2005. They include the new look in Web design, new trends in food-flavoring, a primer on why 2005 is World Year of Physics, and a centennial to celebrate in the Canadian province of Alberta.

Some Things to Look Forward to in 2005

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A Century of Celebrations in Times Square

Revelers in Times Square will be celebrating more tonight than the arrival of 2005. It's the 100th anniversary of the Times Square New Year's celebration. NPR's Robert Smith has the top 10 reasons that it's still at the center of New Year's Eve.

A Century of Celebrations in Times Square

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Religion

Sri Lankan Monk on Dealing with Tsunami Disaster

Walpola Piyananda, a Buddhist monk, shares his experience as a Sri Lankan spiritual leader in the United States, in the wake of the tsunami that devastated his native country.

Sri Lankan Monk on Dealing with Tsunami Disaster

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Obituaries

A Tribute to Fats Waller

Fresh Air

We rebroadcast a tribute to the great vocalist and composer Thomas "Fats" Waller from May 19, 2004. Guitarist and singer Marty Grosz and cornet player Randy Reinhart join us for a special in-studio performance in honor of Waller's 100th birthday. Waller wrote many hit songs, appeared in films in the 1930s and '40s, and wrote Broadway musicals.

A Tribute to Fats Waller

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Last Laughs 2004: Dan Aykroyd

Fresh Air

As one of the original stars of Saturday Night Live, Dan Aykroyd brought to life several classic sketches: the Coneheads, the Wild and Crazy Guys, and the Blues Brothers. He went on to star in a number of films, including Trading Places and The Blues Brothers, and was Oscar-nominated for his role in Driving Miss Daisy. We rebroadcast an interview from Nov. 22, 2004.

Last Laughs 2004: Dan Aykroyd

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Congressman-Elect Emanuel Cleaver

NPR's Tony Cox chats with Emanuel Cleaver, the freshman representative from Missouri's Fifth Congressional District. He's one of five new African-American members of Congress, and next week he'll be sworn into the 109th Congress.

Congressman-Elect Emanuel Cleaver

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News

NASA's Oldest Active Astronaut Retires

After 42 years of exploring the stars, NASA's longest-serving astronaut, John Young, is retiring at the age of 74. Young was a pilot on the first Gemini mission, has walked on the moon and helped design the space shuttle. He discusses his career in space flight with NPR's Steve Inskeep.

NASA's Oldest Active Astronaut Retires

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