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Some U.S. utility companies manipulate lead tests for drinking water, according to The Washington Post. Analyzing 65 water systems, the paper found that high lead levels were concealed from regulators. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and Post reporter Carol Leonnig.

Probes of the nation's insurance industry widen, as California joins New York in investigating insurance sales practices. California's insurance commissioner plans to ban brokers from steering customers to certain policies in exchange for hidden commissions. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.

A terrorism trial at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, came to an abrupt halt Monday after a federal judge ruled that the defendant had not been given a chance to show he is a prisoner of war. Salim Ahmed Hamden's lawyers had challenged his detention in federal court. Hear NPR's Jackie Northam.

A new Microsoft upgrade tries to make Windows XP more secure against attack. Service Pack 2 contains a program -- known as a firewall -- that keeps out some destructive computer worms. But the upgrade doesn't always work well with computers that already have firewalls installed. Hear NPR's Larry Abramson.

Fattah candidate Mahmoud Abbas declares victory over rival Mustafa Barghouti in Palestine's presidential race. With turnout estimated at more than 60 percent, polls show a large lead for Abbas, who would succeed Yasser Arafat. Hear NPR's Jacki Lyden and NPR's Julie McCarthy.

A report by the National Research Council says there is still room for improvement at the National Zoo, but concludes the zoo has made strides toward providing better conditions for its animals. Congress asked for this independent review in 2002 when two endangered red pandas died after eating rat poison buried in their enclosure.

Pope John Paul II's body lies in repose in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace. Dignitaries paid their respects and tens of thousands of visitors thronged to Saint Peter's Square for a memorial mass Sunday.

The White House hopes to raise $35 billion over two days in Madrid for Iraq's reconstruction. Some observers call the goal unrealistic, and note that many countries are reluctant to make significant contributions while Iraq remains under U.S. control. Delegates from 70 countries are considering how much they'll pledge. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

Despite large-scale anti-American violence in Baghdad, President Bush and top American generals assert that the United States is making steady progress in rebuilding Iraq. Citing gains in the nation's economy and overall security, administration and military officials say that Monday's attacks show Hussein loyalists' desperation. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld calls Sunday's deaths of 16 servicemen in the downing of a U.S. helicopter "tragic," but says "in a long hard war, we are going to have tragic days as this." U.S. military officials believe the transport helicopter was likely downed by a shoulder-fired missile. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.