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Attacks by al Qaeda and Taliban fighters against civilian and military targets are on the rise in eastern Afghanistan. U.S. and Afghan forces say the attacks are being launched from neighboring Pakistan, where rebels are growing increasingly bold. NPR's Ivan Watson reports.

Citing the cost of settling probes into tainted stock research, Citigroup announces a $1.5 billion charge against earnings. Last week, Citigroup agreed to pay $400 million in penalties to settle conflict-of-interest charges. NPR's Chris Arnold reports that Citigroup still faces lawsuits from individual investors.

A new federal law requires most meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables to carry labels identifying their country of origin. Farmers and independent ranchers support the new regulation, arguing that a label that says "Grown in the U.S.A." will help sell products. But some retailers and big livestock companies oppose the law. NPR's Greg Allen reports.

Security in midtown Manhattan is tight, but New York City officials say they're ready for the thousands of people who will celebrate the new year at Times Square. Along with fireworks, confetti and balloons, partiers will find heightened security and officers ready to search their bags. NPR's Margot Adler reports.

A New York University survey says some teenagers may be more susceptible to depression during the holidays. Mental health researchers estimate that nine million children experience significant depression sometime during their teens. The good news is that "talk therapy" can help. NPR's Rachel Jones reports.

Nine states file suit against the federal government after the Environmental Protection Agency eases parts of the Clean Air Act. The changes affect whether anti-pollution gear must be installed when industrial plants are modernized. Business groups are generally pleased, and environmentalists are livid. NPR's John Nielsen reports.

British writer Nick Smith's Milk Treading follows an investigative-reporter type named Julius as he ferrets out facts about the suicide of his best friend. By the way, Julius is a cat. The novel is a mystery, but it has some parallels to George Orwell's Animal Farm Smith speaks with NPR's Jacki Lyden.

The clear front-runner to replace Sen. Lott (R-MS) as Republican leader is Tennessee's Bill Frist, the Senate's only physician. A political novice elected to the Senate on his first run for office in 1994, Frist has enjoyed a rapid rise during his brief legislative career. And as NPR's Julie Rovner reports, having a health expert at the helm of a Senate that's expected to take on a number of high-profile medical issues doesn't hurt, either.

U.N. nuclear inspectors kicked out of communist North Korea make a stop in China en route to the International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters in Vienna. The expulsions follow North Korea's move to revive a nuclear facility. Russia condemns the action, but China takes a more measured approach. NPR's Rob Gifford reports.

The New York City police department asks a federal judge for permission to spy on political groups, before having evidence of wrongdoing. The police department says the increased powers are necessary in order to fight terrorism. Critics say existing rules are flexible enough to give police the latitude they need. Marianne McCune reports.