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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.

An apparent car bomb explodes outside of a mosque in the Muslim holy city of Najaf, killing at least 75 people, including prominent Shiite cleric Ayatollah Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim. Al-Hakim led a political party that operated in exile for years in Iran during Saddam Hussein's regime, and had cooperated to a degree with occupying U.S. forces. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

U.S. forces take into custody one of Iraq's top biological weapons experts, nicknamed "Dr. Germ" for her work in the production of biological warfare agents such as anthrax and botulinum toxin. Rihab Taha, a British-educated microbiologist, was not on the U.S. list of 55 most-wanted Iraqis, but U.S. officials say her capture was still a top priority. Hear NPR's Tom Gjelten.