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One year after a transitional government was installed to reunify the Democratic Republic of the Congo and end its civil war, the government controls little of the vast nation. Riots and recent fighting have raised the specter of renewed conflict. NPR's Jason Beaubien reports on the nation's decimated infrastructure, endemic corruption, and general impoverishment.

As socially-conscious consumerism spreads, the latest in "sweatshop-free" clothing is the "No Sweat Sneaker." The shoes are meant to help improve living conditions for factory workers around the globe. But the proponents of the anti-sweatshop movement don't always agree on what constitutes humane working conditions at Third-World factories. NPR's Margot Adler reports.

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.

President Bush names the members of a commission that will investigate possible intelligence lapses in the buildup to war with Iraq. Former Democratic Sen. Charles Robb of Virginia and retired Republican federal judge Laurence Silberman head a panel that is already drawing criticism for being too full of Washington insiders and "establishment" figures. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly reports.

President George Bush would like to make his tax cuts permanent, and add some new ones. The most dramatic new proposal from the White House would allow Americans to pay less tax on their savings. Many Democrats contend it's just another tax break for the wealthy. NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports.

The White House releases pay records and other information about President Bush's time in the National Guard. The White House said the new documents support the president's contention that he fulfilled his duty as a member of the Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. Democratic presidential candidates had begun to take up the question of Bush's military service. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

The recent Massachusetts high court ruling saying the state constitution gives same-sex couples the right to full-fledged marriage has been welcomed by many gays and lesbians. Even so, the obstacles and hurdles ahead make many wonder whether the ruling will ever go into effect. NPR's Tovia Smith reports.

President Bush, battling declining polls numbers and criticism from Democrats, goes on NBC's Meet The Press for an hour-long interview. He defends his decision to go to war in Iraq and says CIA director George Tenet's job is safe despite complaints about pre-war intelligence. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

Residents of Bridgeport, Conn., fear the economic fallout of the U.S. Army's decision to eliminate its multi-billion-dollar Comanche helicopter program. The cancellation comes one year after Sikorsky Aircraft opened a new plant in Bridgeport, with about 750 workers, to build the helicopter. John Dankosky of member station WNPR reports.

Residents of Port au Prince prepare for an attack on the Haitian capital, following the rout of police forces in Cap-Haitien, the country's second-largest city, on Sunday. Rebels there have promised to take the capital by next week. The U.S. has sent in 50 marines to beef up security at the American embassy there. NPR's Martin Kaste reports.