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Christmas means church services, special meals and extra refreshments for U.S. troops at Camp Le Monier in the East African nation of Djibouti. It's a brief break from their mission, which is to search for al Qaeda operatives in the Horn of Africa. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

California lawmakers return for a special session to implement $10 billion in education and other budget cuts proposed by Gov. Gray Davis. California, which faces a $21-billion deficit, is among more than 40 states that are in the red. KQED's Carrie Kahn reports.

The Basel Switzerland Art Fair is the oldest event of its kind in the world. It's something like the film market at Cannes or a gun show- but even less regulated. The fair is trying to break into the United States with the first Art Basil Miami which last week. David D'Arcy reports.

The year 2002 won't end soon enough for the Roman Catholic Church in Boston, after sex-abuse scandals involving priests and the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law. Church attendance around the Boston archdiocese is down 15 to 20 percent. NPR's Tovia Smith reports.

A Northeastern University study shows the United States is now more dependent on immigrant workers than at any time in the last century. Half of all new workers in the last decade came from other countries. NPR's Andy Bowers reports.

North Korea's announcement that it is disabling U.N. monitoring devices at a plutonium plant raises new fears about the nation's nuclear arms intentions. But South Korea's newly elected president vows to persist in efforts to improve relations with the North. NPR's Rob Gifford reports.

It's a yearly ritual: Christmas tree vendors arrive from Canada to set up shop on the sidewalks of New York City. They're a bit dazzled by some aspects of the big city -- like the sky-high rent -- but they're also warmed by unusual acts of kindness from the locals. Jon Kalish reports.

Ten of the country's largest investment banks agreed this week to pay about $1.4 billion in fines to settle charges that their stock research was tainted by conflicts of interest. Their next move will be to hire independent analysts to perform the research function. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva takes over as president of Brazil, hosting a "people's party." The former union leader who goes by the name "Lula" is the first person from the working classes to head the government in the sprawling South American nation. Hear more NPR's Renee Montagne and reporter Amy Radill.

Two remote islands in the Solomons chain are struggling to recover from Cyclone Zoe, described as the most fierce tropical storm ever seen in the South Pacific. A rescue vessel is on the way with 12 tons of rice and other supplies. Hear more from NPR's Renee Montagne and reporter Phil Mercer in Sydney, Australia.