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Crude oil prices hit record highs of more than $70 a barrel. At the end of trading Tuesday, the price settled at $71.60 -- a 95-cent increase over Monday's record close. President Bush, saying he is concerned about higher gas prices, promised the government would stop any price gouging.

The band R.E.M. has released its first album in four years, Accelerate. Critics have been describing the disc as a "comeback," saying it's the band's best album in ages. Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills join Terry Gross for a conversation.

Terrorists are still targeting the U.S., as demonstrated by the news that al-Qaida's affiliate in Yemen plotted to blow up a plane headed to the U.S. What's also clear, NPR's Dina Temple-Raston reports, is just how aggressively the U.S. is targeting the terrorists in Yemen.

It's the latest move in a sweeping government crackdown that began following a failed coup attempt in July. The government also reportedly closed 15 media outlets over the weekend.

A well-respected consumer advocacy organization in Germany claims that Ritter Sport's popular chocolate product contains synthetic aroma. It has ignited a fierce court battle. But Ritter Sport says the aroma is natural, extracted from plants like dill or vanilla.

In an extreme example of resistance to progressive prosecutors, a St. Louis police officer is refusing to testify in murder cases he investigated, even though he believes the defendants are guilty.

NPR's Scott Detrow talks with New York City's comptroller, Brad Lander, about what he says is a failed policy to deal with homeless encampments by the city.

Banned during the Cultural Revolution, China's ancient funeral practices are re-emerging — but with new twists. One of China's most famous professional mourners creates modern funerals with Chinese characteristics — burning paper money, wailing and prostrating, karaoke eulogies and strobe lights.

The top Senate Republican suffered a concussion and will remain in the hospital for observation and treatment after a fall on Wednesday evening at a D.C. hotel. He had been attending a private dinner.