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Friday

Music Interviews

Training to Be a Diva

NPR's Robert Siegel spends a year with Maria Jooste as she tries to launch an opera career. It's a year of acting classes, singing lessons, understudy appearances and an unexpected stage debut. It's also a year of setbacks, and the realization that a stellar voice may not guarantee stardom.

Training to Be a Diva

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Music News

Shaw Recalled as Giant of the Dance Band Era

Clarinetist, composer, and orchestra leader Artie Shaw died Thursday at his home in Thousand Oaks, Calif. He was 94. Shaw was one of the great musicians of the dance band era. NPR's Steve Inskeep has a remembrance.

Shaw Recalled as Giant of the Dance Band Era

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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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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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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 Renounces Torture

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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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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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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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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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Law

DOJ Memo Redefines 'Torture'

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.

DOJ Memo Redefines 'Torture'

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Education

Florida's Pre-Kindergarten Program Draws Critics

Florida legislatures this month approved pre-kindergarten classes for children across the state, in response to a constitutional amendment approved by the state's voters in 2002. But now that the program has become law, some fear it will not deliver quality education. Hear Amy Tardif of member station WGCU.

Florida's Pre-Kindergarten Program Draws Critics

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