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The celesta, an instrument invented in 1896, gets its name for its "celestial," tinkling sound. It provides the distinctive music that accompanies the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. NPR's Bob Edwards discusses the instrument with Morning Edition music commentator Miles Hoffman, and Lambert Orkis of the National Symphony plays some celesta riffs.

Democrats like Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock are under pressure. President Biden's approval numbers are low, his legislative agenda has stalled, and control of Congress is up for grabs this fall.

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with economy reporter Chabeli Carrazana from The 19th News about women whose spouses and children have died of COVID struggling to seek benefits from Social Security offices.

Several Democratic-led states are rolling back coronavirus restrictions in the face of public wariness as the omicron surge eases. Federal health officials advise those restrictions are still needed.

African-American voters in Alabama say a Supreme Court decision dilutes their voting power. Republican leaders say race should not be the predominant factor for drawing congressional district lines.

The stuffed animal version of mascot Bing Dwen Dwen has become so sought after that people are camping overnight to buy it in Beijing.

The Justice Department's federal civil rights case against the men who killed Ahmaud Arbery began this week. Here's a look at that trial and the civil rights agenda for Department of Justice in 2022.

A report on sex abuse in the German Catholic Church faulted former Pope Benedict's handling of four cases. Benedict acknowledged the abuses under his watch but denied any wrongdoing.

A new translation of Leo Tolstoy's Hadji Murad is published. During the 1851 Chechen revolt against the Russians, Murad was a Muslim tribal chieftain. Leo Tolstoy was then a young man in the Russian Army. NPR’s Alan Cheuse has a review.

Singer Kainani Kahaunaele discusses the title track of her debut CD, called Na'u 'Oe. Kahaunaele wrote the song as part of a Hawaiian language project that incorporated Hawaiian poetry and composition. The song is a tribute to her grandmother, who raised her on the island of Kauai.