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The Supreme Court has upheld Kentucky's method of execution by lethal injection. The justices said the state's use of a three-drug combination does not violate the Constitution's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. NPR's Ari Shapiro reviews the high court's opinions with Steve Inskeep.

For more than 20 years, American Girl dolls and books have been big sellers. Now the series is going to the movies. Kit Kittredge: An American Girl opens this week in selected cities — and nationwide on July 2.

Sheriff Bill Smith — once considered one of the most successful sheriffs in the nation at confiscating drug money off the highways — is now the subject of a federal grand jury investigation into whether he misused the forfeiture funds.

In Iowa, the Cedar River is still running high and not expected to fall back below flood stage until Sunday. But the city of Cedar Rapids is already jump-starting the recovery of its flooded neighborhoods. At the height of the flooding this week, 25,000 people evacuated from the city.

Israel Wednesday again closed the border crossings into the Gaza Strip in retaliation for rocket attacks from Gaza into the southern city of Sderot. Hamas called the move a violation of a truce, but urged Palestinian factions to hold their fire.

Two top intelligence officials have testified in Congress about the implications of climate change for U.S. national security. They discussed an assessment that identifies parts of the world where climate change could produce political instability.

The Supreme Court is wrapping up its term, which means blockbuster decisions coming down all at the same time. The justices issued two major rulings early Wednesday. They ruled against the death penalty for people convicted of child rape. And they reduced punitive damages against Exxon for the Valdez oil spill.

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has ended his hopes to become the country's next leader. Just days before a special runoff election, Tsvangirai cited fatal intimidation tactics allegedly by supporters of his opponent, incumbent President Robert Mugabe. Zimbabwe freelance reporter Jeffrey Barbee explains the recent developments.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung is being received at the White House Tuesday. There are calls on Capitol Hill for President Bush to make human rights a focal point of talks, but the administration is playing up economic cooperation.

A top aide to Senator John McCain is taking on extra duties in the presidential campaign. Steve Schmidt will oversee day-to-day political, strategy, coalitions, scheduling and communications operations. He will report to Campaign Manager Rick Davis.