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The FAA orders spot checks on the weight of passengers on commuter planes to make sure estimates of average passenger weight are accurate. The ruling follows a fatal Jan. 8 crash in Charlotte, N.C. The plane may have been overloaded. NPR's Lynn Neary talks with New York Times aviation writer Matt Wald.

Rebel fighters attack U.S. and Afghan troops in the mountainous southeastern region of Afghanistan. It's the worst fighting there in months. U.S. military officials say at least 18 rebel fighters have died. NPR's Lynn Neary talks to New York Times reporter Carlotta Gall.

NPR's Michele Norris speaks with NPR's Jason Beaubien in Zimbabwe. Beaubien updates the political turmoil there. Zimbabwe's main opposition party accuses President Robert Mugabe's government of sanctioning the torture of its supporters.

Chinese-born composer Tan Dun may be best known for his score to the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which earned him a Grammy and an Oscar. His latest composition, Water Passion after Saint Matthew created in honor of J. S. Bach's 250th birthday, had its New York premiere last fall. Tan Dun employed the Dessoff Choirs -- an amateur group -- for the vocal work. Jeff Lunden, an independent producer, usually reports on music and culture from the vantage point of the audience. But for this story he provides NPR with a true inside look. Lunden sings tenor with the Dessoff Choirs.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the phrase “class-warfare.”

Brian Mann of North Country Radio reports that hundreds of Pakistanis are fleeing to Canada, rather than registering with the U.S. government. Because they are not U.S. citizens, they fear they'll be detained or deported if they register. But their fate in Canada is far from assured.

A new play by John O'Keefe highlights a true story of two stage actors in pre-WWII Germany. Times Like These is about the gradual loss of personal freedoms, and draws striking parallels to today's post-Sept. 11 America. Iris Mann reports.

Book Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews “The Time of Our Singing” by Richard Powers.

Urban professionals in Mobile, Ala., react to last night's State of the Union address.

President Bush promises $15 billion over the next 10 years to fight AIDS in Africa. His critics are stunned, yet impressed by the attention he gives the disease in his State of the Union speech. But many critics are skeptical, saying they've heard promises before. NPR's Brenda Wilson reports.