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Yesterday, the Senate voted overwhelmingly in support of the billl to create the Homeland Security Department. The legislation allows for one of the largest ever reorganizations of the federal government, unifying a broad range of agencies while concentrating on intelligence gathering to fend off threats. Although the Democrats' amendment of special interest provisions was defeated, most party members ultimately supported the bill. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg mounts a campaign against noise pollution, the top complaint on a police "quality of life" hotline. New Yorkers are annoyed by the racket from car horns and personal stereos -- and from loudspeakers coaxing people into bars and restaurants. NPR's Margot Adler reports.

Though the Bush administration has altered many laws to help its war on terrorism, the nation's gun laws remain unchanged. Some critics express concern that terrorists are finding it too easy to exploit loopholes in the system and get their hands on guns. NPR's Deborah Amos reports.

A damaged tanker breaks apart off the coast of Spain, spilling several tons of oil into the ocean. Salvage crews work to contain the spill, but with 70,000 tons of oil aboard, officials fear an environmental disaster worse than the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill off Alaska. Jerome Socolovsky reports.

NPR's Lawrence Sheets reports from Moscow that the cast of the Russian musical Nord-Ost performed this past weekend for the first time since last month's attack on their theater by Chechen gunmen. They staged a special benefit concert including songs from the musical. The mood was somber, but defiant, as performers honored 17 cast members who died, along with more than 100 other hostages -- the vast majority from the effects of gas Russian security forces pumped into the theater.

The Bush administration prepares to make a change in the way it helps the sick and impoverished around the world. The new Millennium Challenge Account fund would double U.S. aid for development over the next three years, but critics fear some nations will be left out. NPR's Richard Harris reports.

Steven Dudley reports that President Uribe of Colombia is hoping to protect citizens against rebels and paramilitary groups by adopting methods that the groups have used against the government for years. Uribe is recruiting residents as informants to assist in the battle against domestic terrorism. Human rights groups oppose his strategy, fearing that innocent people may be wrongly accused.

NPR's Ina Jaffe reports the most appealing candidate in California is better known for his action packed movies than his political views. Although Arnold Schwarzenegger is not currently running for office, he is sponsoring an initiative for the November 5th ballot that could make after-school programs available to many students in the state. Some say Schwarzenegger is training for a chance to be governor in four years.

NPR's Nick Spicer reports from Brussels, where Russian president Vladimir Putin met today with NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson, as well as with leaders of the European Union. The public statements at both NATO and the EU were conciliatory, and Russia and the EU even resolved a long-standing dispute over the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. But the meetings were clouded by controversy over Chechnya. Protesters demonstrated against Russia's war in the breakaway republic, and EU officials indicated the issue was a topic of debate in their meetings.

The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in a trademark case that pits lingerie chain Victoria's Secret against a small Kentucky novelty store called Victor's Little Secret. At issue is whether Victor's Little Secret, a seller of sex toys and videos, is violating federal law by diluting the value of the Victoria's Secret trademark. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports.