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The city council in Holyoke, Mass., fights a federal plan to house Somali war refugees there. Council members argue Holyoke lacks the resources to handle the refugees, but many townspeople are working to help the newcomers to stay. Karen Brown of member station WFCR reports.

A new vaccine against the virus that leads to cervical cancer shows promising results, scientists say. Doctors say widespread use of the vaccine could sharply reduce the rate of the disease. NPR's Joe Palca reports.

Berlin's top playboy -- one Rolf Eden -- is finally ready to retire at age 72. Eden has been a fixture on the German party scene since he opened Berlin's first post-World War II night club. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

Video game enthusiasts have been able to play against each other online for years. But manufacturers hope the increased availability of high-speed Internet access will bring them online in mass numbers. On Morning Edition, Marty Demarest reports on Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo's varying online strategies for their game consoles.

A legislative measure under consideration would make it more difficult for refugees to enter the traditionally neutral haven of Switzerland. Conservative politicians want to allow fewer asylum seekers. Emma Jane Kirby reports.

The United States considers putting conditions on food aid to North Korea in response to that country's admission that it has a nuclear weapons program. Moderates in the Bush administration are calling for a diplomatic solution. NPR's Vicky O'Hara reports.

Health officials hold a three-day exercise in Tucson to test the Arizona city's ability to respond to a biochemical attack. The drill is thought to be the largest attempted in the United States. Mark Moran of member station KJZZ reports.

President Bush today signed the law creating a vast new federal department to oversee security efforts within the 50 states. The new entity will include nearly two dozen agencies and more than 170,000 employees -- and it will take time to achieve the information sharing and coordination that are its main goals. NPR's Pam Fessler reports from the White House.

Tree sitting has become an increasingly common form of environmental protest. In southern California, a professional tree sitter is occupying a 400-year-old oak, trying to stop the bulldozers. In northern California, a whole sub-culture has arisen to serve the dozens of people sitting in trees. Reporter Jason Margolis climbed a tree near Freshwater, Calif.

NPR's Greg Allen reports from Kearney, Neb., on the financial problems facing The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument. Like many other tourist attractions around the country, the monument is hurting from a slump in visitors and a soft economy. The archway was constructed to commemorate many of the important historical events as early settlers migrated to the West.