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John Zorn plays a show in the Netherlands in 2005.

Two Takes On Christmas Music: Sweet And Sour

John Zorn — the lion of the avant-garde — and Bob Dorough — the creator of Schoolhouse Rock's "Three is a Magic Number" — each tackle Christmas music in their own ways. What you get isn't necessarily what you might expect.

Ramadon Aliah, a 37-year-old Libyan freedom fighter wounded in Misrata, Libya lies in his bed talking with a translator at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Salem, Mass., in November. Of the 22 Libyans who came to Spaulding in late October, 16 are still there and the rest are expected to be discharged by February.

Injured In Battle, Libyans Recuperate In U.S. Hospital

The former rebels say they're getting a sense of American life in Massachusetts. After months of tense checkpoints in Libya, one says he's surprised he never has to show identification except for buying cigarettes. And a doctor who's treating them wonders what he'd do if asked to pick up arms against a dictator.

Students sit at the Virginia Tech campus on April 18, 2007, two days after a student killed 32 people and himself. FBI victim specialists span out to help in the wake of crimes like the Virginia Tech massacre.

Beyond Fighting Crime, FBI Reaches Out To Victims

When FBI agents arrive at the scene of a shooting or a terrorist attack, a representative from the FBI's Office for Victim Assistance is often there to help people who are affected. The FBI offers practical help as well as referrals for counseling.

Is Income Inequality A Problem In The U.S.?

According to the latest Census figures, the wealthiest Americans saw huge jumps in their income, while the rest had their incomes go down. For a deeper understanding of the wealth gap, Steve Inskeep talks to Tyler Cowen, an economist at George Mason University, and Matthew Yglesias, who writes about economics for the website Slate.com.

Barrel racing champion Charmayne James rides during a demonstration at a new arena in Gretna, Fla., that plans to hold wagering on the sport.

Horse Breeders Seek To Rein In Bets On Barrel Races

In Gretna, Fla., a casino's plan to turn barrel racing into a betting proposition has run into opposition from quarter horse breeders and trainers, who say the new event could destroy their industry.

The space shuttle Discovery is loaded onto the back of a modified 747 at Kennedy Space Center on April 15. The plane will ferry the shuttle to Washington, D.C., on April 17, where it will be permanently installed at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Shuttle Discovery To Make Final Flight, Atop A 747

The first of NASA's retired space shuttles will make its way to its new retirement home on April 17. The well-traveled orbiter will be flown low over the nation's capital before being placed on permanent display at the Smithsonian.

Should We Kill The Dollar Bill?

Last month, a Washington, D.C. subway station was plastered with posters of giant dollar bills. One of them said: "Tell Congress to stop wasting time trying to eliminate the dollar bill." The $70,000 ad blitz was part of a small lobbying war over the fate of the dollar bill.

Examining Coverage Of The Trayvon Martin Case

Steve Inskeep talks to Eric Deggans, TV and media critic for the Tampa Bay Times, about how media outlets are emphasizing different aspects of the Trayvon Martin story to grab the attention of particular audiences. Martin is the Florida teen who was shot to death by a neighborhood watch volunteer in February.

The current case of a prominent Chinese activist seeking U.S. protection has echoes of a similar episode in 1989. Then, physicist Fang Lizhi took refuge at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. He spent a year there before the U.S. and China reached a deal allowing him to move to the U.S. He died this month in Arizona, at age 76.

The Current U.S.-China Standoff Has A Precedent

Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng is believed to be under U.S. protection in Beijing. It's not the first time China and the U.S. have faced this kind of delicate question. Something similar happened in 1989, and it took a year for the two countries to resolve it.

Veteran James Brown relaxes in his apartment, which he recently moved into after spending decades on the streets.

A Push To Help U.S. Veterans Fight Homelessness

Last year, the number of homeless U.S. veterans on a given night fell 12 percent from the year before. But tens of thousands were still on the streets, and more could soon join them as troops return home. President Obama has vowed to end veterans' homelessness by 2015.

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