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NPR's Trevor Rowe reports from the United Nations that Iraq 's speaker of parliament today rejected a UN offer to allow Iraq to sell oil to finance the purchase of emergency humanitarian supplies. Ever since the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, Iraq has been barred from selling its oil on the world market. The embargo was imposed by the United Nations, and once the Gulf War ended, it stayed in place...leverage to force Iraqi compliance with Security Council resolutions regarding weapons of mass destruction. The sanctions have hurt the Iraqi people, and yesterday, the U.N. Council told Iraq it could sell two billion dollars worth of oil to help finance purchases of food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies. Today, Iraq rejected the U.N. move, and launched a new anti-American propaganda drive.

Local TV news is the subject of a new novel, "LIVE AT FIVE" by David Haynes. Alan Cheuse says its a smart book about what television news does and doesn't tell the audience.(2:00) 2B CUTAWAY 0:59 Funder 0:29 XPromo 0:29 CUTAWAY 2B 0:29 RETURN2 0:29 NEWS 2:59 NEWS 1:59 THEME MUSIC 0:29 2C 13. POLITICS -- Linda talks with NPR political correspondent Elizabeth Arnold in Arizona and Boston Globe reporter Jill Zuckman in Georgia about the latest developments from the GOP campaign trails.

Jacki reports on the turmoil in the Canadian province of Ontario over budget cutbacks. The Conservative government of Premier Mike Harris has cut about 8-million dollars in spending so far in an effort to curb a 100-million dollar debt. On Friday and Saturday, tens of thousands of union workers rallied in Hamilton, Ontario to protest government policies. The province faces a strike by members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) at 12:01 Monday morning. Union offices warned the walk-outs would escalate, with as many as 55-thousand of the province's 81-thousand union workers off the job by mid-week.The chief issue in contract talks between the union and the government is job security. On Friday, the government announced an 18-percent cut in provincial hospitals and as many as 20-thousand layoffs of hospital workers during the next year.

NPR's Adam Hochberg reports that a divorce case in New Jersey is raising questions about computers and modern relationships. A husband has charged his wife with adultery for exchanging steamy love-notes via electronic mail with a man she's never met. The wife charges the husband with an invasion of privacy for reading her e-mail without permission.(5:00) 4. RECALL OR UPGRADE - Commentator Stuart Cheifet says that the computer industry is unlike any other ...after consumers spend thousands of dollars on new products, those investments become obsolete in eighteen months...and rather than offer trade ins or recalls, you are just expected to spend more money.

NPR's Edward Lifson reports from Chicago on law enforcement efforts to crack down on the Gangster Disciples, one of the nation's most notorious street gangs.The gang now operates in thirty-five states, selling millions of dollars worth of drugs each year.The G-D's as they're called, are said by law enforcement to have more than ten thousand members. The GD's are so entrenched in their Chicago communities that they've even set up political action committees and charitable activities.But a seven year long massive federal sting produced indictments against gang members, which led the authorities to say they've left the gang in a bad situation. Local citizens arn't so sure.

Associate Professor at Columbia University of Public Health DR. NAHID TOUBIA. She is from Sudan, and was the first woman surgeon in her country. TOUBIA is director of "Rainbo" a research and information organization dedicated to the health and human rights of women, particularly women's reproductive and sexual rights. They've begun a campaign against female genital mutilation. TOUBIA has written a report: "Female Genital Mutilation: A Call for Global Action." (for copies contact: Women, Ink., 777 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY, (212) 687-8633.) (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES THRU THE SECOND HALF OF THE

NPR's Wade Goodwyn reports that a former federal prosecutor in the Branch Davidian case says he expects to be indicted on charges of making false statements to federal investigators and obstructing justice. Bill Johnston was an assistant U.S. Attorney in Waco, when he wrote a letter last year to Attorney General Janet Reno, alleging a cover-up in the Justice Department of evidence that federal agents used incendiary tear gas canisters on the morning that the Branch Davidian compound went up in flames. Johnston says the indictment is revenge for his going public with his allegations.

Banning Eyre reports on the legacy of Nigerian bandleader and activist Fela Kuti. Kuti came from a talented and educated family. He was educated in England and spent time in America. In the 1970's, his jazz and funk-influenced music challenged the political and military leadership of Nigeria. His lifestyle reflected his sharp rejection of Western ideas. Kuti eventually died of complications from AIDS. But his life is attracting new attention here in the US as his son Femi tours with a band, and a new biography by Michael Veal details his life. (12:30) Please note, Fela: The Life & Times of an African Musical Icon, by Michael E. Veal is published by Temple University Press; ISBN# 1566397650, June 2000.

NPR's Ted Clark reports that India's prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today noted progress in US - India relations since the strains of the Cold War. He asked the US to understand India's decision to test nuclear weapons two years ago. In a speech to both Houses of Congress, Vajpayee said that India, like the US, has declared a voluntary moratorium on nuclear weapons testing and favors elimination of such weapons. The Indian Prime Minister defended 1998 weapons testing as necessary to India's security. In response to the nuclear tests, by India as well as its hostile neighbor Pakistan, the United States imposed sanctions on both countries. Tomorrow, Vajpayee meets with President Clinton, who visited India and Pakistan last March.

A sound montage of some of the voices in this past week's news, including International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch jsnat the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia; Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain and Hilary Rosen of the Recording Industry Association of America at a hearing on the Federal Trade Commission's report on the marketing of adult media to young people; Mark Holscher, attorney for nuclear scientist Wen Ho Lee, after his client's release from jail; Attorney General Janet Reno and President Bill Clinton on Lee's release; New York Senate candidates Hilary Clinton and Rick Lazio in their first debate; British Health Minister and Alan Milburn and protester Terry Morgan on Britain's high gas prices.