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NPR's Brian Naylor reports on Attorney General John Ashcroft's first news conference since taking office. Ashcroft, whose treatment of a black judge was an issue in his confirmation, highlighted his plans for civil rights. Ashcroft said enforcing laws against discrimination is one of his three priorities. He did not confirm or deny news reports that Atlanta lawyer Larry Thompson and Washington attorney Theodore Olson are in line for top jobs at the Justice Department.

The fine art of "hacking," or elaborate practical joking, is a storied tradition at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Students at M.I.T. have perched a life-size police car on top of a domed building, wrapped an enormous jock strap around the athletic center, and performed a host of other diabolical pranks. Liane speaks with the school's Assistant Safety Officer, David Barber, who is in charge of dismantling these pranks the next day.

Paul Bremer, the top U.S. civilian administrator in Iraq, visits the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in his first official visit outside of Baghdad since arriving in the country last week. Bremer denies reports that the United States plans to postpone the formation of an interim Iraqi government, but does not give a firm date for its creation. Hear NPR's Guy Raz.

Paul Bremer, the new U.S. civilian administrator for Iraq, arrives in Bagdhad as part of a broad shake-up in the U.S. reconstruction team. Moving out of the country are four top U.S. administrators amid charges that the team has been too slow restoring basic services and has failed to ensure security. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

The Onion bills itself as American's Finest News Source, though its brand of news is far from the "real" variety. Recent headlines include: "Cat General Says War On String May Be Unwinnable," and "Miracle of Birth Occurs for 83 Billionth Time." Now a daily audio version is zooming to the top of iTunes' list of most-downloaded podcasts.

Before his own rise up the music charts, Kanye West spent his time producing hits for other top rappers, including Jay-Z. Convinced of the need to display his own unique skills, he released the hugely successful disc College Dropout in 2004.

The cost of rebuilding the Gulf Coast after the hurricane could top $200 billion -- roughly the same cost of the Iraq war. But President Bush says the money to pay for it should come from spending cuts, not new taxes.

A soon-to-be released book by journalist Bob Woodward -- of Watergate fame -- says President Bush asked top military leaders to plan for war in Iraq even as U.S. soldiers were attacking the Taliban in Afghanistan. The allegations were largely confirmed by the White House press secretary. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

Evidence before the commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks reveals that, in the months before the attacks, intelligence reports suggesting a major terrorist threat against U.S. interests surged. Reports also suggest top intelligence officials questioned the Bush administration's response to what's being dubbed the "summer of threat." Hear NPR's Pam Fessler.

A top Vatican official says Catholic politicians who favor abortion rights for women should be denied communion, the most sacred act of faith for Catholics. The proposed Vatican policy could affect Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, a Catholic who supports abortion rights. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and John Feuerherd of The National Catholic Reporter.