Politics

Law

Justice Dept. Memo Redefines 'Torture'

December 31, 2004 • A new Justice Department memo revises and expands the definition of torture, ruling out its use in interrogating prisoners of war. It replaces a controversial 2002 memo that justified the use of torture to protect national security. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and Jess Bravin of The Wall Street Journal.

National

Congressman-Elect Emanuel Cleaver

December 31, 2004 • 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.

National

Reid Prepares to Lead Senate Democrats

December 31, 2004 • When the 109th Congress convenes next week, Nevada's Harry Reid will take over as the new minority leader of his fellow Democratic senators. The former minority whip, Reid is a Mormon convert. He's pro-gun, anti-abortion and a strong ally of the mining industry. NPR's David Welna profiles Reid.

Justice Revises Torture Policy

December 31, 2004 • 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.

Restructuring Homeland Security Oversight

December 31, 2004 • Paul Light of the Brookings Institution argues that congress should streamline oversight of the Department of Homeland Security -- giving that responsibility to only one committee in the House of Representatives. But he warns congressional leaders not to hamstring that committee -- by putting too many members on it.

World

U.S. Boosts Tsunami Aid to $350 Million

December 31, 2004 • The White House announces the U.S. will boost its aid contribution to tsunami victims from $35 million to $350 million. Secretary of State Colin Powell said the increase came after discussions with disaster officials made clear the size of the tragedy. Hear NPR's Larry Abramson.

U.S. Boosts Tsunami Aid to $350 Million

Audio for this story is unavailable.

Analysis

Political Analysis: Tsunami Aid, Social Security Reform

December 31, 2004 • NPR's Madeleine Brand talks with NPR's Juan Williams about the week in U.S. politics. This week's topics include U.S. aid for victims of the tsunami in southern Asia, Social Security reform and the future of troubled airlines.

World

Peace Deal to Be Signed in Casamance, Senegal

December 30, 2004 • Before the year is out, Senegal's president is expected to sign a peace deal ending one of Africa's least publicized and longest-running rebellions. The Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance has been waging a bloody independence campaign against the Central Government in Dakar since 1982. NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton reports.

World

Venezuelan Voting Advocacy Group Faces Treason Charges

December 30, 2004 • Venezuelan prosecutors charge the leaders of a get-out-the-vote group with trying to topple President Hugo Chavez in 2002. The prosecutors say the group received a grant from a Washington-based organization funded by the U.S. Congress. Brian Ellsworth reports.

Analysis: Bush Foreign Policy in 2005

December 30, 2004 • President Bush's foreign policy is often noted for the use of pre-emption. NPR's Tom Gjelten talks about President Bush's approach to foreign policy: which ideas and practices from 2004 may carry over to 2005 -- and which may be changing. Hear Gjelten and NPR's Renee Montagne.

Opinion

On Creating a Committee to Oversee Homeland Security

December 30, 2004 • When the 109th Congress convenes next week, among its most immediate items of business will be a vote on consolidating congressional oversight of the Department of Homeland Security. Rep. Christopher Cox (R-CA) has this comment.

Opinion

Politically Speaking

Much at Stake in Defining Social Security 'Crisis'

December 30, 2004 • NPR Washington Editor Ron Elving looks at what's at stake when President Bush brands Social Security as a "crisis" -- and what it means for the future of the two major political parties.

News

Head of CIA Analysis Unit to Step Down

December 29, 2004 • Jami Miscik, the CIA's deputy director for intelligence and in the official in charge of analyzing the information the agency gathered, has been asked to leave by the agency's new director, Porter Goss. Miscik is the the latest in a growing line of departing officials at the CIA since Goss took over. NPR's Barbara Bradley Hagerty reports.

House Ethics Committee May Face Leadership Change

December 29, 2004 • Congressman Joel Hefley (R-CO)'s chairmanship of the House Ethics Committee may be near an end. Hefley made headlines this year when his panel admonished House Majority leader Tom DeLay three times for questionable behavior. NPR's David Welna reports.

Asylum Seekers Flock to Canada Before Deadline

December 29, 2004 • NPR's Madeleine Brand speaks with Molly Short, legal coordinator for Vive Inc., a shelter that this week has hosted an unusually large influx of refugees seeking asylum in Canada before a new agreement between the United States and Canada could make gaining asylum more difficult.