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French president Jacques Chirac welcomes Russian president Vladimir Putin on a three-day state visit, and announces Russia signs on to a French-German initiative to continue U.N. weapons inspections in Iraq as an alternative to war. Meanwhile, President Bush tells religious broadcasters Saddam would use his own citizens as human shields. Hear reports from NPR's Nick Spicer and NPR's Don Gonyea.

In the second part of our series, "From Rubies to Blossoms: A Portrait of American Girlhood," we profile two organizations that have been recognized nationally and locally for their efforts. Blossoms works with young girls at risk of violence and gang activity and Council for Unity is designed to reduce violence in schools by emphasizing conflict resolution, and gang prevention.

Details about Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova have long been shrouded in secrecy. The U.S. says Putin's two daughters — one a doctor, the other a tech executive — may be hiding his assets.

Seven Nations is a rock band with an unusual pedigree: based in Florida, schooled in traditional Celtic music traditions, but with amps that go to 11. The five members of the band recently joined NPR's Liane Hansen in Studio 4A for a performance chat -- watch a video of the group performing their song "Twelve."

The federal government has begun tallying the damage climate change could do to the economy and its budget. This comes as scientists warn time is running out to avoid catastrophic global warming.

Search crews near Fort Worth find a large segment of wing from space shuttle Columbia. It could provide important clues about the cause of Saturday's disaster. NASA continues to study photos taken by the Air Force in Columbia's final minutes of flight, reportedly showing damage to the craft's left wing. Hear from NPR's Richard Harris.

During the 1991 Gulf War, retreating Iraqi troops blew up and set ablaze many of Kuwait's oil fields, leaving massive oil spills and an environmental disaster. Now some military analysts say a desperate Saddam Hussein could once again attack Kuwait's oil fields -- or wreck his own to try to slow any U.S. attack. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

A panel of former NASA engineers and military officials prepares to take over the Columbia investigation. More than a week after the space shuttle broke apart upon re-entry, NASA says it has no clear answers. NPR's Eric Niiler reports.

A panel of former NASA engineers and military officials prepares to take over the Columbia investigation. More than a week after the space shuttle broke apart upon re-entry, NASA says it has no clear answers. NPR's Jon Hamilton reports.

The rise in the number of girls and gangs and their influence in communities around the country, including suburban America, is the topic of countless research projects nationwide. Law enforcement is also catching up, and the U.S. social-service system has begun to respond. All are looking at the fact that girls and gangs are their own social phenomenon. They require an approach that is often different than competing traditional male-dominated gangs. NPR's Jacki Lyden examines the new roles of girls and gangs.