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The National Weather Service is evaluating replacements for the computerized voice affectionately known as "Igor" -- used to relay weather reports on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio. The Weather Service has decided to stop using Igor because of complaints that the voice is hard to understand. Linda Wertheimer speaks with Joanne Swanson, Meteorologist Voice Evaluation Leader for the National Weather Service, about the search for a new voice.

Eric Engleman reports from Moscow that Russia's independent media outlets suffered new blows today. The newspaper Segodnya stopped publishing, and the entire editorial staff of the magazine Itogi was fired. Both the newspaper and the magazine (a Newsweek affiliate) were part of the media empire of Vladimir Gusinsky. Gusinsky and his journalists say the Kremlin is trying to silence independent media voices.

NPR's Richard Harris reports on new scientific findings that have enormous potential for genetic engineering. Two groups of researchers have discovered a way to "hack into" the DNA of bacteria, and trick them into using an additional amino acid to build proteins. The findings eventually could be used to produce new medicines, new materials, and even new life forms.

NPR's Guy Raz reports from Berlin that on this day in the year 1516, Frederick of the First of Bavaria introduced a law guaranteeing the purity of beer. The law -- known as the Rheinheitsgebot -- has regulated German brewing ever since. It strictly limits what ingredients can go into beer, so German brewers won't produce beverages like blueberry beer or hemp beer.

Anthony Kuhn reports China expressed "serious concern" about the just-announced U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, even though the package did not contain the Aegis destroyers. Beijing had said sale of the Aegis system would have caused a crisis. But China's relatively measured criticism may give way to harsher reactions when details of the arms package are fully known.

NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports that financial officials from around the world are gathering in Washington for meetings this weekend of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The semi-annual meetings will also draw hundreds of anti-globalization protesters. Many of these protesters want the Bank and the Fund to forgive the debts of the world's poorest nations, but the institutions say it would be unwise to speed up the debt relief they are providing.

NPR's Emily Harris reports on a four-day meeting in Ottawa to discuss whether genetically engineered food should be labeled as such. Many common foods contain genetically engineered ingredients. Food manufacturers are worried if product labels disclosed that, consumer fear would put an end to the promising field of biotechnology.

NPR's Brian Naylor reports that Vice President Dick Cheney previewed recommendations for Bush administration energy policies that calls for more power plants and oil drilling in Alaska's wild lands. He said conservation and alternative energy sources are not enough to prevent the nation from experiencing the crisis now seen in California.

Host Bob Edwards talks with L.A. Times reporter Anthony Kuhn in Beijing. A team of U.S. military experts will arrive in China later today to examine the downed U.S. Navy spy plane there.

NPR's Jack Speer reports the nation's economy grew faster than expected in the first quarter. The nation's gross domestic product, or GDP, expanded at a 2 percent annual rate, according to the Commerce Department. Most economists expected the economy to grow no faster than 1 percent in the first quarter. Analysts said the economy was helped along by strong consumer spending and a narrower trade gap.