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For centuries, sugar has been the foundation of the Cuban economy, and a key part of the country's identity. NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that Fidel Castro's government is drastically downsizing the sugar industry because of economic pressures, and transforming some of the old sugar mills into attractions for a more profitable industry: tourism.

The Latin jazz drummer has released more than 20 albums, including the 1999 Grammy winner, Latin Soul. Features in the series are produced by David Schulman and NPR's Jeffrey Freymann-Weyr.

There are names for people responsible for firing other people. They're called "hatchet men" or "corporate executioners." Many companies hire people like firing consultant Howard McCain. McCain spends his days helping companies carry out the firing of employees. He says there is an art to dismissing someone.

Twenty-five years ago Friday, the world lost the king of rock 'n' roll, Elvis Presley. NPR's Joshua Levs reports on the enduring appeal of Elvis, both for those who remember the rock icon when he was alive and among a new, young generation of fans. NPR Online marks the anniversary with vintage NPR coverage, music cuts including "Annoying Elvis" music, and an Elvis trivia quiz.

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to George Ratliff about his new documentary, Hell House. It focuses on a haunted house that a large Pentecostal church outside of Dallas puts together every year to scare people into the arms of God.

Guest host Renee Montagne talks with NPR's Ketzel Levine about a prehistoric plant that's being threatened by wildfires in Oregon.

In 1963, when she was only 16, Lesley Gore recorded one of the greatest songs in rock and roll history, It's My Party, and I'll Cry If I Want To. Gore has stayed in the business since the 60s, and she's currently appearing at the New York City club, Rainbow and Stars. Rhino records released a two record retrospective of her greatest hits in 1991.

Husband and wife song writing team, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, the duo responsible for such songs as Youve Lost that Loving Feeling, On Broadway, We Gotta Get Out of This Place, Here You Come Again, Dont Know Much, and more. The two met when they were both working in the famous songwriting landmark, the Brill Building Mann as a composer and Weil as a lyricist. The two have been writing ever since. In edition to their many pop hits, Mann and Weil have also written songs for films.

Nick Lowe is a songwriter, musician, and producer whose influence on modern rock has far outstripped his chart performance. He talks with NPR's Joe Palca about his storied career and his new album, The Convincer, for All Things Considered Saturday.

Journalist Thomas Ricks covers the military for The Washington Post. Last week the Senate held hearings about Iraq. Ricks will discuss possible scenarios for a U.S. attempt to topple Saddam Hussein, and the likelihood of such an action. Ricks has also reported on U.S. military activities in Somalia, Haiti, Korea, Kuwait, the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan. Prior to joining The Post, Ricks wrote about the military for The Wall Street Journal. He's also the author of the novel A Soldier's Duty, about a U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan.