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Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawai announces that nine armed militias comprising some 100,000 men will disband. Under the plan, the militiamen will be eligible for jobs in the police, army or security services, and may also qualify for civilian government jobs. The militia controlled by the radical Shiite cleric Muktadr Sadr is not part of the pact. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and NPR's Deborah Amos.

As Congress prepares to write a budget to guide this year's tax and spending decisions, some Senate Republicans join Democrats in calling for a "pay as you go rule," which would mandate that any future tax cuts be offset by spending cuts. House Republicans vehemently oppose such measures. The dispute reveals a GOP divided over fiscal policy. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and Ross Baker, a political science professor at Rutgers University.

Terry Nichols is convicted on 161 counts of murder in the state trial over his role in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Nichols is already serving a life sentence in a federal prison. The jury that convicted him Tuesday will next be asked if he should be put to death. The penalty phase begins Wednesday. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and NPR's Wade Goodwyn.

France, Russia, Germany and China call for major revisions to the draft resolution on the future of Iraq currently before the U.N. Security Council. The nations want the resolution to include a clear timetable for withdrawing international troops from Iraq and to give the Iraqi interim government total control over security. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Vicky O'Hara.

U.S.-led special operations troops in Iraq free four Western hostages who had been kidnapped in April. Although few details were available about the operation, a security source said three Italians and a Pole were released in a raid 11 miles south of Baghdad. Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez said a number of men were captured during the raid. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel and NPR's Emily Harris.

President Bush says George Tenet has resigned as CIA director for "personal reasons" and will leave the spy agency next month. Tenet has been under intense fire for intelligence failures in Iraq. His deputy will lead the agency temporarily until a successor is found. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Mary Louise Kelly.

Authorities now say that all the missing from the collapse in Changsha had been accounted for, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Attorney General John Ashcroft says the United States is in danger of being "hit hard" by the al Qaeda terrorist organization, noting intelligence suggesting a looming attack. Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller drew new attention to photos of seven suspected al Qaeda operatives at a news conference prompted by what Ashcroft called "a clear and present danger." NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

The U.S. military suspends offensive operations in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf. The move is part of a deal, brokered by Shiite leaders, to have insurgent cleric Muqtada al-Sadr withdraw his militia from the besieged city. Sadr's fighters have suffered heavy casualties in recent clashes with U.S. forces. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Peter Kenyon.

Sen. John Kerry says President George Bush has taken the wrong approach to combating terrorism by waging war in Iraq. Kerry, in the first of several planned speeches on national security, called for improved alliances with other nations and modernizing the U.S. military. NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports.