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A new study shows that women who regularly take aspirin may be less likely to get breast cancer. The findings confirm previous research, but goes further by pinpointing why this common painkiller -- but not other painkillers -- has a beneficial effect. The study's results are in the latest Journal of the American Medical Association. NPR's Joe Palca reports.

Long-steeped in a Southern tradition of fried delights, the people of Arkansas are saying no more. The state, from its schoolrooms to the governor's mansion, is taking an honest look at its weight problem and coming up with innovative ways to cut the fat.

Attorney General John Ashcroft says the United States is in danger of being "hit hard" by the al Qaeda terrorist organization, noting intelligence suggesting a looming attack. Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller drew new attention to photos of seven suspected al Qaeda operatives at a news conference prompted by what Ashcroft called "a clear and present danger." NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

Urban legends about the origins of fast-food chicken, or what might be living in the New York City sewer system, have always fascinated kids -- and commentator Jake Halpern. But when his laptop burst into flames spontaneously, he realized that he had his own story that was too fantastic ever to be believed. Jake Halpern is the author of the book Braving Home.

U.S. troops engage in fighting with Shiite militants loyal to rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Kufa, near the southern Iraqi city of Najaf. The clashes come one day after Sadr agreed to pull his militia out of Najaf, provided U.S. forces withdrew to their bases outside the city. U.S. military officials say the truce remains in place. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Peter Kenyon.

Members of Iraq's Coalition Provisional Authority on Friday unanimously choose Iyad Allawi to be the prime minister of the interim government that will take office on July 1, 2004. U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi welcomes the move, but a U.S. spokesman indicates the selection is not yet final. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports from Baghdad.

Research shows that teachers with degrees in the subjects they teach are more successful. But people with math degrees are often poor math teachers. Experts say the best instructors are those that can untangle where students went wrong. Robert Frederick reports.

A day-long hostage standoff in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, ends as government commandos storm a resort building, freeing dozens of hostages and leaving several dead, including an American. Gunmen had taken between 45 and 60 hostages during attacks in the heart of the kingdom's oil region Saturday. An al Qaeda-linked group has claimed responsibility. Hear NPR's Liane Hansen and Thomas Lippman of the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C.

The American Friends Service Committee assembles nearly 800 pairs of combat boots on Capitol Hill, demonstrating the sacrifice of U.S. soldiers. The Quaker organization placed the boots in rows to commemorate the American soldiers killed in Iraq. NPR's David Welna reports.

Commentator Ruth Stonesifer is the mother of one of the first Americans to die in Afghanistan. On Memorial Day, she describes her membership in the Gold Star Mothers, the 75-year-old organization of mothers of American troops who died in the line of duty.