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In January 1940, Irving Berlin, the most popular songwriter in America, raced into his office and asked his musical secretary to take down a new song. NPR's Susan Stamberg reports on the history of "White Christmas," a song Berlin said was the best he — or anyone — ever wrote.

As the terms of NAFTA gradually reduce protective tariffs on agricultural goods sent to Mexico, small farmers south of the border feel the effects. Many say NAFTA is destroying their livelihood. NPR's Gerry Hadden reports.

A new vaccine against the virus that leads to cervical cancer shows promising results, scientists say. Doctors say widespread use of the vaccine could sharply reduce the rate of the disease. NPR's Joe Palca reports.

A truly global economy and the ever-expanding reach of the Internet are compelling us all to "think globally." Yet the results of a new National Geographic-Roper study reveals young people aged 18 to 24 remain woefully ignorant about geography and world affairs. In fact, 83 percent of Americans quizzed couldn't find Afghanistan on a map. All Things Considered guest host Lynn Neary talks with National Geographic Society President John Fahey about the quiz results -- test your knowledge, and take the quiz online.

In Prague, President Bush asks NATO allies to stand with the United States in the effort to disarm Iraq's Saddam Hussein. Meanwhile, relations between Bush and German Chancellor Schroeder, who opposes military action against Iraq, remain strained. NPR's Don Gonyea and Guy Raz report.

Congress passes legislation that makes it easier for victims of terrorism to collect money from terrorist states or organizations. The bill makes available the foreign assets frozen in the U.S. But some observers fear the U.S. will lose political leverage against offending countries. NPR's Tovia Smith reports.

Defense officials ask Congress to approve new dual-use satellites that can distinguish between "airbursts" caused by random asteroids sneaking into the atmosphere and exploding warheads. NPR's Eric Niiler reports.

NATO leaders open a two-day summit in Prague by formally offering membership to seven nations formerly under communist control. The addition of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia increases NATO membership to 26 nations. More from NPR's Don Gonyea.

The city council in Holyoke, Mass., fights a federal plan to house Somali war refugees there. Council members argue Holyoke lacks the resources to handle the refugees, but many townspeople are working to help the newcomers to stay. Karen Brown of member station WFCR reports.

Snigdha Prakash reports on the recipe behind the diet drug Metabolife's billion-dollar -- and possibly deadly -- success.

Vocational education programs such as shop and auto repair have disappeared from school offerings in recent years. But Ukiah High School north of San Francisco still has a wood shop, allowing students to experiment with hand tools and learn basic skills. NPR's Elaine Korry reports.

Even as the federal government has cracked down on robocalls, more than 47 billion spam texts have been sent so far in 2021, one company found, costing Americans millions.

NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports on a program intended to help teachers regain a passion for their profession. The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching takes groups into the Great Smoky Mountains, away from the clamor and stress of the classroom and school politics, to encourage them to remember why they started teaching in the first place.

The book of Deuteronomy mentions seven holy foods that Tom Ciola thought might make a good snack bar. He tried it, and with a couple additional ingredients, made it work. Now Ciola's "Bible Bar" has become a hit at Christian bookstores, and his company, House of David, is distributing a number of religious health foods, including Bible Granola and a "Back to the Garden" meal replacement. Lynn Neary talks with Tom Ciola about the products. Ciola has also published a guide called "Moses Wasn't Fat."

House members work into Friday's early morning hours to wrap up the year's unfinished business. But the Senate expects its part of the lame-duck legislative session to continue into next week. NPR's David Welna reports.

Robert Siegel talks to songwriter Mike Stoller of the team Leiber and Stoller about the deaths of two doo-wop performers. Bill Mitchell of the Clovers died last week at age 71. Billy Guy of the Coasters died Tuesday at age 66. Stoller and his partner wrote many of the best known songs for both groups and knew the men. The Coasters' Searchin and the Clovers' Love Potion Number 9 were among the songs written by Stoller.

A newly unsealed report suggests energy companies deliberately manipulated California's electricity market. The report details conversations between the Williams Cos. and AES Corp., in which employees talk about extending power plant outages to profit from higher prices. Hear NPR's Scott Horsley.

In Central America, most of the best musicians around wind up in cover bands, because it pays better than trying to do original material. But Prueba de Sonido refuses to do that. This Salvadoran band hopes its style of rock propels it onto the international stage. Reporter Clark Boyd reports from San Salvador.

A Russian man seriously injured in a 1998 auto accident arrives in the United States to sue an American diplomat. Alexander Kashin was paralyzed after Douglas Kent, then U.S. consul general in Vladivostok, slammed into his car. The U.S. State Department refused to lift Kent's diplomatic immunity. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

Though the Bush administration has altered many laws to help its war on terrorism, the nation's gun laws remain unchanged. Some critics express concern that terrorists are finding it too easy to exploit loopholes in the system and get their hands on guns. NPR's Deborah Amos reports.

The latest CD by former J. Geils Band frontman, Peter Wolf, is infused with country and rhythm and blues. Reviewer David Greenberger says the new album, Sleepless, establishes Wolf as a master of songwriting. Sleepless by Peter Wolf is available on Artemis Records, 751125-2.

Berlin's top playboy -- one Rolf Eden -- is finally ready to retire at age 72. Eden has been a fixture on the German party scene since he opened Berlin's first post-World War II night club. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

The U.S. and allies Japan, South Korea and the European Union will suspend fuel shipments to North Korea next month. The suspension is a protest of North Korea's nuclear weapons program. More from NPR's Vicky O'Hara.

Research links a rare genetic disorder to children who are conceived through assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization. Beckwith Weidemann Syndrome affects about one in 14,000 births each year in the United States. NPR's Joe Palca reports.

Guest host, Jackie Judd, reads from listener comments.