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The House passes a measure that provides federal insurance in the event of another catastrophic terrorist attack. Under the program, the insurance industry's liability would be capped at $15 billion. The federal government would cover up to 90 percent of claims above the $15 billion cap. NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports.

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."

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 lawyer representing former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman wants The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Bill Wyman to stop using his name. Wyman the writer was born in 1961 with that name. Wyman the rock star adopted the name in 1964. Lynn Neary talks to Bill Wyman of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about his predicament.

American Jazz Pianist Sir Roland Hanna died Wednesday at age 70. Hanna was known for playing in diverse styles that reflected much of the history of jazz piano. In addition to performing, he composed more than 400 pieces for jazz ensembles. NPR's Felix Contreras has this remembrance.

Leadership elections in the House of Representatives produce a historic milestone as Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) becomes the first woman elected to lead either party in either chamber of Congress. NPR's Linda Wertheimer reports on the new House minority leader.

The Homeland Security bill extends a key deadline for screening all checked luggage for explosives. Airports and airlines breathe a sigh of relief, but supporters of the deadline say new security requirements at airports should not be eased. NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

China's Communist Party formally reveals its new leaders Friday. A new generation is taking over, but none are expected to stray far from the path of outgoing President Jiang Zemin, who has pushed economic but not political reform. NPR's Rob Gifford reports.

Robert Siegel and Lynn Neary read some of this week's letters from listeners. Topics include the closing time of pubs in London, Victoria's Secret's lawsuit against Victor's Little Secret, and whether the well-being of the state of California or the state of Maine predicts the health of the nation. Send e-mail to atc@npr.org.

House GOP leaders push for a close to this week's post-election lame-duck session, despite unfinished business on terrorism insurance and unemployment benefits. NPR's David Welna reports.

Central states cry foul over federal attempts to save prairie dogs and their habitats. Nebraska and others say the prairie dog is a pest, not an endangered species. Prairie dogs have lost 99 percent of their original range in North America. NPR's Greg Allen reports.

The Senate has the final word next week on the largest government reorganization in a half-century. The Homeland Security bill calls for a Cabinet-level department that, with a staff of 170,000, combines 22 existing agencies. NPR's Lynn Neary talks with foreign policy expert Ivo Daalder about how the restructuring will affect Americans.

In the aftermath Brazil's presidential election, which was won by former factory worker Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the "red star" of the Workers Party has become the star of the fashion circuit. NPR's Martin Kaste reports on the latest trend sweeping the South American nation.

Critics of the new campaign finance reform law say Sen. John McCain's victory will be short-lived. They claim the Supreme Court will find much of the law unconstitutional, and loopholes abound. But the Arizona Republican vows to continue the fight in the new year. NPR's Peter Overby reports.

When actress Winona Ryder was convicted of shoplifting last week, it struck a chord with Youth Radio's Nora Harrington. Harrington is a high school student who wonders what her classmates find so thrilling about stealing.

Lawyers for some of the nation's largest retailers say Visa and MasterCard illegally thwarted for years the growth of debit-card networks, The Wall Street Journal reports. The allegations stem from recently unsealed court documents from a class-action suit that includes Wal-Mart and Sears. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.

In the final installment in our series on California's Central Valley, NPR's Richard Gonzales reports that working conditions for farm workers have not improved much in the last 50 years. Half of the valley's farm laborers are illegal immigrants, and they work for farm labor contractors and growers who take advantage of their illegal status. The system creates vague lines of responsibility for how and whether workers are paid and who is responsible if someone gets hurt. Ultimately it creates an underclass of low-skilled workers who -- unlike immigrants in the past -- have little chance to improve their lives.

Diane Orson reports lawyers in the trial of Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel are at odds over the prosecution's use of a dramatic multi-media display that looked like a TV news report. High-tech presentations are increasingly popular with some lawyers, but others see it as a dangerous trend.

President Bush asks NATO allies to stand with the U.S. in the effort to disarm Iraq's Saddam Hussein. The president's comments come as NATO leaders gather in Prague for a summit. Seven former Communist nations will be formally welcomed into the alliance. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea.

NPR's Rachael Myrow reports on problems at one of the nation's largest hospital chains. Just a month ago, Tenet Healthcare was one of the stars of the medical-services industry, beloved by Wall Street. That was before the Medicare audit, the telephone calls from the SEC, the investigation of two company doctors in Redding, Calif., and the precipitous plunge in Tenet's stock price.