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Iran's soccer team arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, where they received a warm welcome and are now gearing up for cross-border commutes to the U.S. for every World Cup match.

Today's budget talks have been suspended. Robert Siegel speaks with NPR's Mara Liasson from the White House and Peter Kenyon from Capitol Hill about the why the negotiaitions broke down. Budget negotiators gathered again at the White House today, amid reports from both sides that the talks are on the verge of ending, either with a balanced budget agreement or a failure. Republicans had been hinting that, if they can't reach a settlement with President Clinton, they will bypass him and cut a deal with congressional Democrats to cut spending and taxes.

THINKING -- Commentator Donald McCaig says the countryside can be noisy, with the sounds of thunderstorms or the peeping of frogs and bleating of sheep. But on summer evenings it's quiet enough to hear yourself think. He says that's unlike the city, where the challenge is not so much the din, as knowing what the noises mean. (2:30)NOTE: MUSIC AFTER THIS PIECE WAS HARMONICA VIRTUOSO RICHARD HUNTER, FROM HIS CD "THE SECOND ACT OF BEING FREE" ON TURTLE HILL PRODUCTIONS, PO BOX 651, MONROE, ct 06468-0651. PHONE: 203-459

NPR's Martha Raddatz reports on another hearing on Capitol Hill today, discussing the effects of possible chemical exposure during the Persian Gulf War. The Pentagon announced today that it is looking for scientists to conduct more studies on how low-level exposure to chemical weapons affects both people and animals. The research is part of the Pentagon's efforts to solve the mystery of why thousands of veterans who fought in the Gulf War have suffered a range of ailments including nausea, chronic fatigue and memory loss.

NPR's Brian Naylor reports on the latest tussle between the White House and Republicans on Capitol Hill. Late last night President Clinton vetoed another spending bill, this one that would finance the Treasury Department, White House and Congress itself. The veto apparently came in retaliation for the GOP's rejection of a compromise that would have financed schools and other social programs. Both sides came away from the squabble with inflamed rhetoric, with Republicans claiming that Mr. Clinton is deliberately trying to force a government shutdown, while the President saying that classrooms should be funded before the operation of Congress.

NPR's David Welna reports on the partisan debate raging on Capitol Hill over the turmoil in the stock market and what that could mean for President Bush's tax reduction program. Republicans insist that if the economy is faltering, tax cuts need to be implemented without delay. Democrats argue that the falling stock prices mean it would be too risky to pass a 10-year tax cut plan, given the fact that there is no way to know whether the administration's long-range projections on the economy are accurate.

U.S. civilian administrator Paul Bremer heads to Capitol Hill to brief members of Congress on U.S. efforts to rebuild Iraq. The meetings come as Republicans defend the Bush administration's record in Iraq. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist says more than 80 percent of the Iraqi population is living in a "more secure environment" than before the war. Hear NPR's David Welna.

Baseball superstar Roger Clemens fought for his reputation Wednesday in dramatic testimony on Capitol Hill. Under oath, he denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs. But his former trainer, Brian McNamee, continued to insist that he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone.

Earlier today on Capitol Hill, the co-chairs of the Iraq Study Group presented their highly-anticipated recommendations for the war in Iraq. Join us for an NPR News Special.

With just a day to go before the New Hampshire primary, Michele Norris checks in with former North Carolina senator and Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards on his campaign bus. Given the recent polls and his rival's financing, Edwards admits he has a tough hill to climb.