NPR writers and critics pick the best albums of 2004. Included is music by Modest Mouse, Tinariwen, The Hilliard Ensemble, Brian Wilson, Guy Davis and Wilco.
Pope Francis, who heads the Catholic Church, has doubled down on his commitment to the environment with a new electric popemobile presented by Mercedes-Benz.
A powerful earthquake has struck off the northern California coast, triggering tsunami warnings that were later canceled. Several aftershocks continued to rattle the area off Eureka.
A federal judge in Texas has rejected a plea deal between Boeing and the U.S. Justice Department, saying the court should play a bigger role in selecting an independent monitor to oversee the company.