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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.

Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaption) is known for his disjointed narratives and quirky characters. Now he brings that off-beat sensibility to his directorial debut, Synecdoche, New York.

West Nile virus has hit Louisiana hard this summer. Nearly 90 people there have contracted the mosquito-borne fever, and seven are dead. It's the largest outbreak in the United States yet, and with three more months of warm weather ahead, local health officials fear it will only get worse. NPR's John Nielsen reports for All Things Considered.

Robert Jay Lifton is professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the Graduate School University Center and director of The Center on Violence and Human Survival at John Jay College of Criminal Justice at The City University of New York. He'll talk with us about the psychological impact of the threat of terrorism and the potential for nuclear war between Pakistan and India. Lifton specializes in the study of extremist religions and cults. He's written books on many topics, including the Japanese cult which released poison gas in the Tokyo subways, Nazi doctors, Hiroshima survivors and Vietnam veterans.

In a sprawling Baghdad neighborhood known as Saddam City, Muslim clerics have formed vigilante groups to stop looting and restore law and order. U.S. Marines in the mostly Shiite neighborhood have gratefully allowed the clerics to take on this responsibility to reduce the likelihood of clashes between American forces and the local population. So far, the arrangement seems to be working. NPR's John Burnett talks about what he's seen there.

When the World Cup begins in Germany next month, fans from England will be faced with the task of not being too rude to the host country. Part of the problem: a lingering bitterness about World War II. Comic actor and writer John Cleese has a song to help: "Don't Mention the War."

Iraqi military officials in Baghdad promise more suicide attacks against U.S.-led forces, following Saturday's car bombing that killed four U.S. soldiers near the Iraqi city of Najaf. Iraq says it has given the equivalent of more than $30,000 to the family of the man who carried out the suicide attack. NPR's Liane Hansen talks to reporter John Laurence.

U.S. military officials warn that armed resistance in Iraq is growing more sophisticated. A rare interview with two men purported to be leaders in the insurgency movement supports that idea. The men promise tactics ranging from more ambushes to kidnapping U.S. soldiers. NPR's Michele Norris talks with Los Angeles Times Baghdad bureau chief John Daniszewski.

Sudanese rebel leader turned vice president John Garang died in a helicopter crash Sunday. He was a charismatic leader whose death strikes a blow to the January peace deal that ended a 21-year civil war between the mostly Muslim north and the Christian and animist south.

President Bush installs John Bolton as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, making a recess appointment to circumvent the Senate, where Democrats blocked approval of the nominee. Bolton will be able to serve until a new Congress forms in 2007.

Shakespeare in Love director John Madden discusses his latest movie, Proof, an adaptation of the stage play by David Auburn. The film stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins and Hope Davis.

Sen. John Kerry has called President Bush to concede the presidential race. Kerry is expected to make a public statement about 1 p.m. And the Republican Party has kept control of the House and Senate. In races for the Senate and House of Representatives, Republicans maintain their majorities and picked up seats in both the House and Senate. Hear NPR's Mara Liasson.

For lovers of jazz music, the year 2005 brought a wealth of reissues by critical artists from Jelly Roll Morton to John Coltrane. The music, the result of exhaustive archival and restoration work, adds new details to one of America's richest musical traditions.

Long-serving Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), known for his strong national security position, calls for U.S. troops to be withdrawn from Iraq as soon as possible. Murtha, a mainstay on the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Defense, originally supported the war in Iraq.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra plans to perform American composer John Corigliano's "The Red Violin" -- a concerto for violin and orchestra -- Thursday. The debut will feature one of the leading violinists in classical music, Joshua Bell. The concerto uses themes from Corigliano's Academy Award-winning score for the film of the same name. NPR's Lisa Simeone has a profile.

Film director John Madden's new film, Proof, is based on the stage play of the same name by David Auburn. It stars Anthony Hopkins and Gwyneth Paltrow. Madden's previous films include Shakespeare in Love (which won seven Academy Awards) and Mrs. Brown.

Actor John C. Reilly and director Jake Kasdan talk about their new film, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Kasdan woke up in the middle of the night with the concept and even the title for the spoof of music biopics. This interview was initially broadcast on Dec. 3, 2007.

Fierce sandstorms near Baghdad reduce visibility and cause delays for U.S. forces advancing toward the capital. The Army's 3rd Infantry Division makes its way within 70 miles of Baghdad; outside the holy city of Najaf, small-scale skirmishes continue between U.S. and Iraqi forces. Hear NPR's John Burnett and NPR's Eric Westervelt.

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) confirms that he will seek the Democratic presidential nomination. Kerry has campaigned and raised money for more than a year. The official announcement comes as he trails rival New England Democrat Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor, in early polls for the critical New Hampshire primary. NPR's Anthony Brooks reports.

Helen Stickler's new documentary, Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator, tells the story of former skateboarding star Mark "Gator" Rogowski. Rogowski is now serving 31 years in prison for the rape and murder of a former girlfriend. Ken Park, a former skateboarder and friend of Rogowski, is interviewed in the film. Park is now the president and CEO of John Galt Media. Stickler is an Emmy-nominated writer, producer and director of documentary films and commercials.