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Barbara Bodine, the U.S. official assigned to govern central Iraq, will leave her post and return to the United States to take a position at the State Department. The move comes just days after the top civilian administrator in Iraq, retired Gen. Jay Garner, is replaced by L. Paul Bremer, a longtime State Department official. Bodine and Garner have been criticized for being slow to restore services and form an interim government. Hear NPR's Guy Raz.

In Baghdad, top U.N. weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei say Iraq is showing positive signs of closer cooperation in the inspection process. Meanwhile, Belgium says it may block plans to use NATO to defend Turkey in case of a war against Iraq. NPR's Nick Spicer reports.

In Baghdad, top U.N. weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei say they are encouraged by what they say is a distinct change in Baghdad's posture toward disclosure. NPR's Jacki Lyden talks with NPR's Anne Garrels.

Pentagon officials confirm that Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, will give up his command this summer. But officials deny the move is linked to allegations that Sanchez knew about abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison. Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the Army's second-ranking general, will replace Sanchez. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Michele Kelemen.

Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the U.N. nuclear agency, and chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix arrive in Baghdad for talks with Iraqi officials. They are expected to warn Iraq that it must cooperate more intensely with arms inspectors. Hear NPR's Kate Seelye and Walter Russell Mead of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix briefs European leaders on the latest findings in Iraq. Blix refuses to term yesterday's discovery in Iraq of nearly a dozen empty warheads a "smoking gun" that would show Iraq to be in noncompliance with U.N. resolutions. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

Ten of Wall Street's top brokerage firms agree to pay fines of about $1.5 billion to settle conflict-of-interest allegations. The firms were accused of misleading investors with bad research, and have agreed to changes in their research divisions. Hear NPR's Jim Zarroli, NPR's Michele Norris and Columbia University law professor John Coffee.

Embattled Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott remains defiant about hanging on to his post after a GOP colleague declares he is willing to challenge Lott for the leadership job. Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) has the public support of several GOP senators. Hear NPR's David Welna.

Top U.N. arms inspector Hans Blix, en route to Baghdad, says he expects difficulties in assessing whether Saddam Hussein is hiding weapons of mass destruction. But he warns his team will not accept any resistance to the checks. NPR's Nick Spicer reports.

Members of the House and Senate return to Washington for a "lame-duck" session of the 107th Congress. Meanwhile, the White House and lawmakers reach agreement on a compromise plan to create a new Department of Homeland Security. Hear NPR's David Welna, Pam Fessler and Mara Liasson.