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Host Rachel Martin delves into the physics behind Roald Dahl's childrens' classic, James and the Giant Peach. Physics students at the University of Leicester calculated that it would take 2,425,907 seagulls to lift James' Giant Peach, making Roald Dahl's number (501), entirely insufficient.

President Obama will on Monday name former GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel to be his next defense secretary, an administration official confirmed to NPR. Hagel's past comments on Iran, Israel and gays have come under scrutiny.

The big money earned by workers in Australia's thriving mining industry is attracting sex workers from around the world. One lawmaker wants to restrict or ban prostitution, which is legal in Australia — but so far, there hasn't been much progress in changing the law.

John Brennan is one of the president's top national security aides. A veteran of the CIA, he was the agency's deputy executive director during President George W. Bush's administration. Brennan has said he opposed many of the Bush administration's policies, including the use of waterboarding.

Counterterrorism adviser John Brennan is expected to be chosen as CIA director. And it's expected that Chuck Hagel will be announced to replace retiring Defense secretary Leon Panetta at the Pentagon.

In an archival session from 1991, the vibraphonist gets together with host Marian McPartland for a performance of his own standard, "Bags' Groove."

After a chaotic scene that saw lawyers hurling insults at attorneys who offered to represent the defendants, the magistrate cleared the court. Five men and a juvenile are accused in the rape of a young woman on a bus. She later died. The crime shocked India and captured attention around the world.

Two people, who are not normally allies, are working together to support changes to immigration laws. Renee Montagne talks to Eliseo Medina, who is with the Service Employees International Union, and Randel Johnson, who is with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

It's been almost a week since the first reports that a man had shot and killed a school bus driver, snatched a five-year-old boy off the bus and is holding him hostage in an underground bunker. Grief and the slow pace of negotiations with the suspect have frayed nerves in the close-knit, rural community.

The president will visit the city's police department — most police organizations favor tougher gun laws. The president leaves behind a new Congress that's getting down to business. Consuming most lawmakers' time are the budget and deficit.