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NPR's David Welna reports that barring last minute roadblocks, Illinois Governor George Ryan will become the first sitting US governor to visit Cuba under Castro's rule, even though many in his party are denouncing the trip.

NPR's Michele Kelemen reports for the past week, Russian warplanes have been bombing the breakaway republic of Chechnya. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has vowed to keep up the attacks, to destroy the bases of Islamic militants he blames for recent apartment house bombings in Russia. The air raids have driven tens of thousands of Chechens from their homes and have fueled reports that the Russians are about to send ground troops into Chechnya. President Boris Yeltsin remains silent on the crisis.

NPR's Linda Gradstein reports Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has authorized construction in Jewish settlements on the occupied West Bank at a pace that exceeds that of his predecessor, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu. Palestinians and peace groups had hoped that in his stated quest for peace, Barak would freeze settlement building. The US has called settlement building an impediment to peace. But in his first three months in office there has been no freeze.

Where were you when it happened? That is what Normal Public Library is asking McLean County residents as the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approaches. An immersive exhibit is on public view in the library’s gallery from Sept. 7-30.

Sebastian Vettel won the Bahrain Grand Prix over the weekend, but in a larger sense the winners were the race organizers. They managed to hold the race which was canceled last year by political unrest, which was part of the uprisings of the Arab Spring. Bill Law, of the British Broadcasting Corporation, talks to Steve Inskeep about the weekend's events in Bahrain.

Imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows what appears to be a large oil slick near an offshore rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

U.S. and Afghan officials have finalized their partnership agreement, which sets up guidelines for U.S. involvement as American forces leave that country. Details have not been released, but both governments hope the agreement will put to rest doubts about a long term American commitment to support Afghanistan.

On the government's fiscal calendar the new year begins Friday, and NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr says that it's not going to be a holiday.

General Motors has reached a settlement in a lawsuit resulting from a 1997 car accident. In the crash, a Chevrolet Chevette was struck by another vehicle, and burst into flames, killing the driver. The motorist's widow sued GM. The number-one automaker was sharply criticized by the judge in the case for its efforts to keep two key documents out of the proceedings. The documents date back to 1973 and 1981 and both relate of the potential cost of lawsuits from collisions where a gas-tank fire erupted. Robert speaks with NPR's Don Gonyea about the case.

NPR's Anthony Brooks reports on the latest change to the presidential primary and caucus schedule. New Hampshire, historically the nation's first primary state, announced it was moving its date back one week, to February 1, 2000, because Louisiana had moved theirs back to February 8. Iowa, whose caucuses were scheduled for January 31, may now have to move back to January 24. All in all, another bizarre indication of how the presidential season is starting earlier than ever.