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Sen. John Kerry launches a $25-million TV ad campaign focusing entirely on his record of service -- in Vietnam, as a prosecutor and in the Senate. The ads, which include testimonials from Kerry's wife and daughter, are designed to introduce Kerry to voters and counter a barrage of negative ads from the Bush campaign. Hear NPR's John McChesney.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld calls the reported abuses of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of U.S. soldiers "unacceptable." The U.S. Army says it is investigating the deaths of 10 prisoners and the alleged abuse of 10 more in prisons across Iraq and Afghanistan. Rumsfeld speaks with NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Puzzle master Will Shortz quizzes one of our listeners, and has a challenge for everyone at home. This week's winner is Professor Robert Carson from Walla Walla, Wash. He listens to Weekend Edition on member station KWSU in Walla Walla.

NPR's Cheryl Corley calls the "Europe Direct" hotline in Brussels and gets answers from a multi-lingual operator about what EU membership will really mean for people living in the ten new member states.

The Al Jazeera news network broadcasts a videotape showing a man who appears to be a U.S. soldier held hostage by mask-wearing gunmen in Iraq. The soldier identifies himself as Pfc. Keith Maupin of Battavia, Ohio, with the U.S. Army's 724th Transportation Company. Maupin has been listed as missing since April 9. Listen to NPR News.

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.

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.

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.

Wynton Marsalis plays the trumpet — he's not just a Grammy award winning trumpet player, but a Pulitzer award-winning trumpeter. Wynton has released his first small ensemble jazz cd in 5 years. It's called The Magic Hour. Reviewer Jim Fusilli finds delight in the record, with clever performances. He also finds some of the jazz Wynton plays sometimes backward looking.

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