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Attorney General John Ashcroft says the United States is in danger of being "hit hard" by the al Qaeda terrorist organization, noting intelligence suggesting a looming attack. Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller drew new attention to photos of seven suspected al Qaeda operatives at a news conference prompted by what Ashcroft called "a clear and present danger." NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

Members of Iraq's Coalition Provisional Authority on Friday unanimously choose Iyad Allawi to be the prime minister of the interim government that will take office on July 1, 2004. U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi welcomes the move, but a U.S. spokesman indicates the selection is not yet final. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports from Baghdad.

A day-long hostage standoff in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, ends as government commandos storm a resort building, freeing dozens of hostages and leaving several dead, including an American. Gunmen had taken between 45 and 60 hostages during attacks in the heart of the kingdom's oil region Saturday. An al Qaeda-linked group has claimed responsibility. Hear NPR's Liane Hansen and Thomas Lippman of the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C.

The Bush administration defends its credibility, after the Sept. 11 commission finds "no credible evidence" that Iraq helped al Qaeda in the 2001 attacks on the United States. In recent TV appearances, Vice President Cheney has suggested he may have information supporting an al Qaeda-Iraq link not available to the panel. Hear NPR's Renee Montagne and NPR's Juan Williams.

A national advertising offensive sponsored by a group known as the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) is drawing fire from those who think it insults black fathers -- especially those prevented by court order from playing a role in their children's lives. The ad campaign is heating up as we draw closer to Father's Day. NPR's Tavis Smiley speaks with the head of the NFI and a man who leads a father's rights group.

NPR's Tavis Smiley talks to health commentator Dr. Ian Smith about whether genetic and environmental factors play key roles in why people suffer from asthma.

NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to Slate legal affairs analyst Dahlia Lithwick about the latest Supreme Court ruling on the Pledge of Allegiance. The Court on Monday ruled against a California atheist's legal challenge to remove the phrase "under God" in the pledge -- but dodged the broader question of separation of church and state, by basing the ruling on a technicality.

Three General Electric foreign contractors are killed during a rush hour car bombing in downtown Baghdad. More than a dozen people died in the attack and at least 60 others were wounded. The continuing violence in the country has hampered reconstruction efforts, including the difficult task of reviving Iraq's electrical output. NPR's Michele Norris talks with New York Times reporter James Glanz.

When it comes to wine, some consumers still equate quality with price. But at the 28th Annual International Eastern Wine Competition, a $1.99 bottle of California Wine, the 2002 Charles Shaw Shiraz, beat out 2,300 wines to win a prestigious double gold medal. Hear NPR's Steve Inkseep.

With the Supreme Court seemingly poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, Democrats look to legislation to keep abortion legal.