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President Bush said Monday night that Iraqis will receive full sovereignty after June 30. But analysts note that the interim Iraqi government won't have any say over U.S. troops in the country, and it's questionable whether it will have full control over Iraq's military and police forces. Bush's timeline for Iraq will require a strong American military presence there for at least another year and a half. Hear NPR's Mike Shuster.

North Korea sold nuclear fuel to Libya, according to a report in The New York Times. Libya surrendered the uranium to the United States earlier this year -- enough to have supplied material for a nuclear bomb. Hear NPR's Liane Hansen and New York Times White House correspondent David Sanger.

For the second time this month, the most sacred Shiite shrine in Iraq was damaged during fighting. U.S. military officials said the damage to the Najaf shrine did not result from American fire. U.S.-led forces were battling Shiite militia in Najaf and Kufa, in southern Iraq. Officials say at least 11 people were killed and more than 20 wounded. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.

Military officials deny that the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, knew about the abuse of Iraqi prisoners in American custody. Reports in The Washington Post described prospective testimony that would place Sanchez as a witness of some abuses. The story brought stern denials from the Pentagon. Hear NPR's Libby Lewis.

Sen. John Kerry announces that he will accept the Democratic presidential nomination at the party's convention in July. There had been speculation that Kerry, the all-but-named nominee of his party, would put the acceptance off in order to generate more press and ease spending limits. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and NPR's David Welna.

The Pentagon is expected to replace Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez as the top U.S. commander in Iraq. President Bush called Sanchez "exemplary," and officials say his transfer is part of a long-planned reorganization. Nevertheless, the move leaves the impression in some quarters that the administration is not satisfied with Sanchez's performance in Iraq. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

U.S. troops engage in fighting with Shiite militants loyal to rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Kufa, near the southern Iraqi city of Najaf. The clashes come one day after Sadr agreed to pull his militia out of Najaf, provided U.S. forces withdrew to their bases outside the city. U.S. military officials say the truce remains in place. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Peter Kenyon.

International tributes pour in honoring President Ronald Reagan, who died Saturday after an extensive battle with Alzheimer's. President Reagan died at his Southern California home; funeral arrangements for include the former president's body lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda before being laid to rest on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Hear NPR's Linda Wertheimer and NPR's Mandalit del Barco.

American musical icon Ray Charles died of complications from liver disease Thursday at his Beverly Hills home. In a career that lasted more than half a century, Charles defied categorization and brought his soulful stylings to jazz, pop, country and R&B.

U.S. forces arrest a key aide to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and wage battles with militia loyal to the Shiite leader. The aide, Riyadh al-Nouri, was taken captive at a house in Najaf. He is al-Sadr's brother-in-law. An Army spokesman said a "very large number" of youths -- members of al-Sadr's militia -- were killed in fighting in Najaf and Sadr City. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.