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President Bush visits an estuary in Wells, Maine, to mark Earth Day, an event observed since 1970 to highlight environmental-conservation efforts. The president said his administration is tough on polluters but friendly to industry as well. Democratic challenger John Kerry took a far dimmer view of Bush's environmental record. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

The Houston suburb of Katy, Texas, is home to an exotic but little-known attraction: the country's only replica of China's Forbidden City. Known as the Forbidden Garden, the attraction opened in 1996 and features a huge burial pit representing the tomb of China's first emperor. Sarah Richards reports.

NPR's Anne Garrels reports on one Iraqi family grateful for American help in establishing a school for children with Down Syndrome.

Researchers have put a theoretical height limit on the world's tallest trees. According to an article in the science journal Nature, it's difficult for California redwoods to drag water up much higher than 426 feet. NPR's Ketzel Levine reports.

NPR's Allison Aubrey reports on changes made by the Bush administration to laws regulating the nation's wetlands.

Four U.S. soldiers are killed and six are wounded as insurgents fire on a base north of Baghdad. Dozens of Iraqis are killed in rocket attacks, roadside bombings and fighting with U.S.-led troops around the country. An the oil terminal off the southern city of Basra comes under attack, apparently by suicide bombers. Hear NPR's Cheryl Corley and NPR's Philip Reeves.

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.

The Supreme Court hears arguments on whether Vice President Dick Cheney must reveal details of his energy task force, in response to lawsuits from two groups. Solicitor General Theodore Olson, defending the government, argues that the constitution allows the executive branch to gather private advice. The groups suing say industry input into U.S. policy should be public. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports.

Tulane University medical student Andy Martin is hard at work searching for a cure for an extremely rare, highly fatal type of cancer called sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. For Martin, the quest is personal: he himself has been diagnosed with the illness. Martin speaks with NPR's Robert Siegel.

Puzzle master Will Shortz quizzes one of our listeners, and has a challenge for everyone at home. This week's winner is John Sapovits from Philadelphia, Pa. He listens to Weekend Edition on member station WHYY in Philadelphia.