National

Virginia Activist Accused of Illegal Ties with Libya

September 30, 2003 • A prominent Virginia-based Muslim activist faces charges of violating U.S. economic sanctions against Libya. Federal authorities say they had Abdul Rahman al-Amoudi under surveillance for more than a year as part of a probe into terror financing. But so far there is no alleged connection to terrorism. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden.

Alabama Inmates Sue for Better Health Care

September 30, 2003 • Sick inmates are suing the state of Alabama over the quality of health care in state prisons. Diabetics, cancer patients and other prisoners with chronic diseases say they are routinely denied treatment, putting their lives in danger. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports.

CIA Operative Leaked

September 30, 2003 • The Bush administration says it will cooperate with any investigation into allegations that White House officials leaked the identity of an CIA operative. Democrats want a special counsel to investigate published reports about the leak, apparently an attempt to discredit the agent's husband, former ambassador to Gabon Joe Wilson -- a vocal critic of President Bush's Iraq policy. NPR's David Welna reports.

GOP Endorses Schwarzenegger

September 30, 2003 • Several GOP leaders endorse California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger while sending subtle pleas to a rival Republican, State Sen. Tom McClintock, to drop out. But McClintock vows to stay in the Oct. 7 election. NPR's Carrie Kahn reports.

Huffington Quits Recall Race

September 30, 2003 • Independent candidate Arianna Huffington drops out of California's recall race, saying it's the best way to prevent Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger from becoming governor. Huffington does not endorse any other candidate in the Oct. 7 election, but she urges her supporters to vote strategically to prevent a Republican victory. Hear San Francisco Chronicle political columnist Phil Matier.

World

Senate Debates Iraq Funds

September 30, 2003 • Senate Republicans push for speedy approval of President Bush's $87 billion funding request for Iraq and Afghanistan. The Senate Appropriations Committee puts a bill to approve the money on a fast track. But Democrats and some Republicans are uneasy about approving $20 billion earmarked for reconstruction efforts in Iraq. Hear NPR's David Welna.

World

Guantanamo Aide Arrested

September 30, 2003 • Ahmed Mahalba, a translator who worked at the U.S. prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is arrested at Boston's Logan Airport and charged with making false statements. Customs agents found documents and CDs in his bags that appeared to be classified information relating to the prison. Mahalba's arrest is the third involving a Guantanamo worker. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden.

DOJ Probes CIA Leak

September 30, 2003 • The Department of Justice begins a formal investigation into an alleged leak from the Bush administration that exposed a CIA operative married to an outspoken critic of the White House's Iraq policy. President Bush orders his staff to cooperate fully. Questioning the DOJ's impartiality, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) calls for a special counsel to investigate. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea.

Gorilla Escapes at Boston Zoo

September 29, 2003 • For the second time in as many months, a 300-pound gorilla known as Little Joe escapes from an enclosure at Boston's Franklin Park Zoo. It took about 50 police and zoo officials two hours to subdue the animal. Hear Boston Globe reporter Douglas Belkin.

Future of Georgia Scholarship Program in Doubt

September 29, 2003 • Ten years ago, Georgia became the first state to fund a merit-based college scholarship program with lottery revenue. The HOPE scholarship has sent more than 700,000 students to college. Now, with record college enrollments and higher tuitions, the scholarship's costs are outpacing lottery ticket sales. Hear Emily Kopp of Georgia Public Radio.

Science

Canadian Drug Imports Growing in Popularity

September 29, 2003 • The FDA says that spot checks of prescription drugs shipped into the United States from foreign countries have shown they often contain potentially dangerous unapproved or counterfeit ingredients. The announcement comes as the federal government tries to crack down on the growing resale business of discount drugs from Canada. Hear NPR's Scott Horsley and NPR's Julie Rovner.

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Pioneering Tennis Player Althea Gibson Dies

September 29, 2003 • Two-time U.S. National and Wimbledon winner Althea Gibson dies at the age of 76. Gibson was the first African American to win Wimbledon and the first black woman to play in what became the U.S. Open. She was also the first black player on the Ladies Professional Golfing Association Tour. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards.

Virginia Towns Court Sniper-Trial Business

September 29, 2003 • Hundreds of reporters will soon be converging on the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, Va., for the trials of sniper suspects John Allen Muhammed and Lee Boyd Malvo. Local businesses and entrepreneurs have gone out of their way to market their services to the media. Hear NPR's Brian Naylor.

White House on CIA Leak

September 29, 2003 • The White House rejects as "ridiculous" suggestions that top adviser Karl Rove was involved in a leak that exposed a CIA operative, the wife of former ambassador to Gabon Joseph Wilson. Earlier this year, Wilson cast doubt on claims that Iraq tried to obtain nuclear bomb material from Niger. The Bush administration says it will cooperate with any investigation into the leak. Hear Wilson and NPR's Don Gonyea.

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World

Rice, Powell Back Iraq Data

September 29, 2003 • National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of State Colin Powell defend the intelligence used to justify the war in Iraq. Both say the CIA continued to gather fresh information about Saddam Hussein's ongoing weapons programs in the months before the war began. NPR's Allison Aubrey reports.