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The Senate's No. 2 Republican leader calls for a new election for majority leader. Oklahoma Sen. Don Nickles' recommendation comes just two days after Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) publicly apologizes for comments he made on segregation at a birthday party for Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-SC). Hear NPR's David Welna.

North Korea defends its move to resume work at three banned nuclear facilities, saying they are needed for energy, and not as sources of fuel for nuclear weapons. The United States and South Korea urge North Korea to reconsider. Hear NPR's Eric Weiner.

Neighbors of Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) react to his departure as Senate Republican leader after racially divisive remarks. Racial issues shaped many political races in the 2002 elections. And U.S. Rep. Cass Ballenger (R-NC) expresses regret for a slur against a former colleague. Hear NPR's Melanie Peeples and NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Suspected suicide bombers rammed explosive-packed vehicles into the local government building in Grozny, Chechnya, killing at least 46 people. No one claims responsibility, but Chechen rebels are fighting for independence from Russia. NPR’s Robert Siegel talks with David Filipov, the Boston Globe’s Moscow correspondent.

Broadcasters in many Muslim nations are refusing to run a series of TV ads meant to soften anti-American sentiment by profiling Muslims living in America. All Things Considered host Steve Inskeep talks with Rami Khouri, a syndicated political columnist in Jordan, about why the ads are unpopular.

Nine states file suit against the federal government after the Environmental Protection Agency eases parts of the Clean Air Act. The changes affect whether anti-pollution gear must be installed when industrial plants are modernized. Business groups are generally pleased, and environmentalists are livid. NPR's John Nielsen reports.

The New York City police department asks a federal judge for permission to spy on political groups, before having evidence of wrongdoing. The police department says the increased powers are necessary in order to fight terrorism. Critics say existing rules are flexible enough to give police the latitude they need. Marianne McCune reports.

A company with ties to a religious group that believes space aliens brought life to Earth announces the birth of the first human clone. But Clonaid offers no proof that the 7-pound baby girl is a genetic copy of her 31-year-old mother. Most scientists are skeptical. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and NPR's Joe Palca.

North Korea is expelling U.N. nuclear monitors and has resumed operations at a plant that can produce plutonium -- moves that have sparked talk of nuclear "brinksmanship" by the rogue nation. Weekend Edition Sunday host Liane Hansen talks with journalist Don Oberdorfer, who recently visited North Korea.

An experimental drug shows promise in the treatment of the immune-system disorders multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease. Studies in the New England Journal of Medicine suggest the drug's approach may be effective against a wide-range of immune disorders. NPR's Richard Knox reports.