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NASA's Mars rover Opportunity is about to reach Victoria Crater. Scientists are excited about exploring the crater, where satellite pictures indicate more than 100 feet of exposed bedrock. By studying the layers of bedrock, researchers hope to learn how it was shaped -- and maybe answer the question of whether liquid water once covered the Martian surface.

Canadians have reacted with shock and skepticism after 12 men and five teens were arrested over the weekend, accused of hatching a terrorist bomb plot involving three tons of ammonium nitrate. Details on the charges from the sting operation are still forthcoming.

Kimberly Oliver, an elementary school teacher in Silver Spring, Md., was recently named National Teacher of the Year. Over the last six years, she has helped turn around the underperforming school.

The State Department rejected suggestions that U.S. policy in Somalia has been dealt a setback. And President Bush says that he and his advisers are going to strategize on the situation. Senior News Analyst Ted Koppel says that's all very reassuring; but it's hard to see how things could be any worse if they just left it alone.

"Authenticity" is a loaded term when it comes to racial identity. But author and regular News & Notes commentator Joseph C. Phillips isn't afraid to tackle the topic head-on. He talks with Ed Gordon about his new book, He Talk Like a White Boy: Reflections on Faith, Family, Politics and Authenticity.

The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Wednesday on boosting FCC fines for indecency. Lawmakers are expected to increase the fines from $32,500 to a whopping $325,000 per incident. Tess Vigeland of Marketplace says the new fine is likely to have a big influence on what broadcasters put on air.

Two major shoe companies have much at stake as World Cup soccer play begins. Nike, which made deals with Brazilian stars, is trying to put a dent in Adidas' long-standing dominance of the soccer market.

Eight U.S. states held primary elections on Tuesday -- Slate political editor John Dickerson talks with Alex Chadwick and Madeleine Brand about the results and what they mean for November's mid-term elections.

Commentator Deborah Mathis looks at what role skin shade, and not just race, plays in prison sentencing. A new study shows darker-skinned African-Americans receive harsher sentences than their lighter-skinned counterparts. Deborah Mathis is a syndicated columnist and a professor at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

Two months ago, we reported on the Web video phenomenon of Mentos and Diet Coke. When the mint candies are combined with the soda it creates a geyser of Diet Coke. A new video on the Internet takes that concept and turns it into a highly choreographed routine complete with music. Melissa Block talks with Fritz Grobe and Stephen Voltz, the two men who created the video.

With an enormous budget surplus, high gas prices and ongoing inflation, Democrats are trying to get money back in the pockets of drivers and voters in California, but can't at all agree on a plan.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan has been diving into lighter literary novels and mysteries, searching for books suited for the beginning of summer. Here are some of her picks.

Israel continues to pound Lebanon with bombs for a 10th day, primarily targeting Shiite areas in the south and east of the country. An Israeli general has warned that Israel could expand ground operations in southern Lebanon, where there have been fierce clashes between its troops and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, civilians in Lebanon continue to seek shelter from the fighting.

Melissa Block talks with Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies about the size and armament of the Lebanese Army. Analysts are now asking if the future might see a possible international peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

Some workers who are past retirement age and still want -- or need -- to work, find it very hard to land jobs. Changing demographics mean older people need to carve out a new spot for themselves in the work force.

From garlic to fish oil, substances aimed at reducing cholesterol are among the best-selling dietary supplements. But a new evaluation shows some products don't measure up to their labels or marketing claims.

Congressional Republicans, some facing tough re-election battles this November, have mixed reactions to the Bush administration's approach to current foreign policy challenges.

President Fidel Castro is recovering from intestinal surgery and in good spirits, according to Cuban authorities. News of the leader's health has been closely guarded since he was hospitalized.

In the new film The Night Listener, Robin Williams stars as a late-night radio host who befriends a 14-year-old listener. The film, which co-stars Toni Collette and Rory Culkin, is a psychological thriller based on the novel by Armistead Maupin.

A massive heat wave continues to broil many parts of the United States, with temperatures topping 100 degrees for the third consecutive day in many places. And with high humidity and other factors, the heat index shows that the temperatures often feel even hotter.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wants Syria to use its influence to rein in Hezbollah. And Syria wants diplomatic engagement with the United States. But Rice isn't planning on talking directly to Damascus. She's counting on friendly regional governments to carry the U.S. message to Syria.

Another day of record-breaking heat puts more stress on California's already stressed power grid. Even as businesses and the public try to conserve, there's still a chance that power regulators will be forced to call for rolling blackouts. California has suffered through more than a week of triple-digit temperatures.

The U.N. Security Council calls for a full cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah militants. The plan envisions a 15,000-member U.N. peace force joining 15,000 Lebanese troops in southern Lebanon.

Israeli troops welcome the cease-fire with Hezbollah guerrillas as a chance to rest. But the Israeli military remains ready to resume full operations if ordered to attack again. About 30,000 Israeli forces remained in Lebanon.

Authorities in the United Kingdom say they have arrested more than 20 people in a terror plot to plant bombs on airliners headed to the United States. Police say the suspects were planning to carry liquid explosives onto as many as 10 planes, and detonate them in mid-air. Experts and callers look at the science behind the alleged plot.