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NPR's Barbara Bradley reports on two developments from Virginia that involve the use of DNA testing to establish guilt or innocence in criminal cases. In one case, a man who once had been within five days of execution was exonerated of a rape and murder that occurred eighteen years ago. In the other case, a federal judge has ruled that prisoners who claim they were wrongfully convicted have a constitutional right to request DNA testing of the physical evidence.

NPR's Brian Naylor reports on the conclusion of the House ethics case involving Transportation Committee chairman Bud Shuster. The ethics committee found that Shuster, a Pennsylvania Republican who wields great power in the House, committed "serious official misconduct" for his relationship with a former staffer-turned-lobbyist and his accepting of improper gifts. The committee's "letter of disapproval" was the most lenient form of punishment, and it ends any further congressional investigation into the matter. For his part, Shuster -- in a speech on the House floor -- called the findings "overkill."

NPR's John McChesney reports that Napster -- the online music site that allows its users to "share" music files -- was back in court today. The Recording Industry Association is suing Napster for copyright infringement. A federal appeals court in San Francisco heard arguments today on whether a lower-court decision against the company should be allowed to go into effect. Napster's allies have warned that the company will be forced out of business if the lower-court ruling stands.

NPR's Michele Kelemen reports from Moscow that Russia is resisting pressure from the Yugoslav opposition and from Western governments to persuade Slobodan Milosevic to step down. President Vladimir Putin has offered to meet both Milosevic and opposition candidate Vojislav Kostunica in Moscow. He has offered to mediate their dispute over the results of last month's presidential elections in Yugoslavia. But a statement released by Putin's office implies that the election should go to a second round, as Milosevic is insisting.

NPR's Jon Miller reports from Lima, Peru on the aftermath of President Alberto Fujimori's announcement this weekend that he would resign and call for new general elections. His announcement came after the release of videotape showing Fujimori's intelligence chief apparently bribing an opposition congressman. Fujimori has also decided to de-activate the national intelligence service, the head of which has been linked to a variety of scandals over the past decade.

NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that the Clinton Administration today cautiously welcomed Alberto Fujimori's decision to step down as president of Peru and hold new elections. White House spokesman Joe Lockhart called Fujimori's announcement "a step in the direction of full democratization" in Peru. But U.S. officials cautioned that they need more information on the position of the Peruvian military, whose support will be key for the country to move further toward Democratic reform.

At the Olympics in Sydney, the fabled American women's soccer team lost the gold medal game in overtime to Norway. Marion Jones easily won her second gold medal, in the 200 meter dash. Her win was widely anticipated. But as NPR's Howard Berkes reports, there was a major surprise in the men's 200 meters. Konstantinos Kenteris won the gold medal, becoming the first Greek ever win a sprint medal. It was the first time the US didn't take a medal in the event since 1928.

NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports that Yugoslavia electoral body ruled that President Slobodan Milosevic and challenger Vojislav Kostunica must face a run-off vote on October 8 because neither won a majority in the first round. Yesterday, thousands of demonstrators gathered in the streets of Belgrade to protest the decision and to show their support for Kostunica who says he is the clear winner of Sunday's election.

Debbie Elliott reports that a federal judge dismissed half of the federal government's 1999 lawsuit against major cigarette makers, handing the tobacco industry a partial victory. The judge ruled that the government could not use two health laws to recover billions of dollars in Medicare expenses used to treat ill smokers. U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler said the government could proceed with two other claims under federal racketeering laws.

NPR's Steve Inskeep reports on the next phase of the presidential campaign... television. Vice-President Al Gore and his wife appeared on CNN's Larry King Live last night to answer questions about prescription drugs, social security, and budget surpluses. Gore also responded to criticism about what opponents call his tendency to exaggerate the facts. The Democratic candidate also offered to stop campaign commercials funded by soft money.