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In the wake of the prisoner abuse scandal at the now-notorious Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad, U.S. military authorities make some significant changes. The number of detainees at the sprawling complex has been sharply decreased, and living conditions appear to be improving. NPR's Emily Harris reports.

At least 12 people, including five foreign contractors, are killed in a car bombing in Baghdad. Over the past three days, a series of attacks have killed numerous Iraqis, including a senior civil servant and a top official in the foreign ministry. The attacks illustrate the security concerns Iraq's new government faces as it prepares to assume sovereignty June 30. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt.

Insurgents in Iraq launch a series of attacks on several cities in the Sunni Triangle around Baghdad, killing nearly 70 people and wounding hundreds more. U.S. officials say the attacks appear to be coordinated and targeted at police stations. Attacks in Baquba and Mosul kill at least three U.S. soldiers. Hear NPR's Deborah Amos.

The Pentagon announces new procedures for investigating the deaths of people in U.S. military custody. The new rules call for every death to be reported to military investigators and the Armed Forces medical examiner, who will decide if an autopsy is required. The guidelines are seen as an attempt to quell criticism of detainee deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

Two memos prepared by Bush administration lawyers and high-ranking officials suggest the president cannot be held to federal and international rules prohibiting torture. Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft refused to turn over the documents or say whether President Bush has authorized force or other techniques in interrogation. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports.

A group of American human rights lawyers is suing two U.S. civilian contracting companies, saying the contractors conspired to torture detainees in U.S.-run prisons in Iraq. The lawyers say both the contractors and the government were involved in a "torture conspiracy" and should be prosecuted. NPR's Ari Shapiro reports.

The Security Council unanimously passes a U.S.-British resolution detailing sovereignty and security issues for Iraq's interim government, which will take power June 30. At the G8 Conference in Sea Island, Ga., President Bush welcomed the news. Iraq-related questions have dominated the summit of industrialized nations. Hear NPR's Vicky O'Hara and NPR's Jim Zarroli.

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry makes his first joint appearance with his running mate, Sen. John Edwards. After their families met in Pennsylvania, the pair headed to Ohio for a traditional political rally. Kerry and Edwards addressed supporters before heading to Florida, beginning a tour of seven battleground states. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

The 9-11 Commission will reportedly urge that a new "czar" be created to oversee all U.S. intelligence-gathering operations. Hear NPR's Susan Stamberg and New York Times reporter Philip Shenon.

President George Bush says he might not name a successor to outgoing CIA Director George Tenet before November's election. Tenet, whose post will be filled by a deputy when he steps down on Sunday, is leaving as the Senate Intelligence Committee prepares to release its report on the CIA's intelligence work on Iraq's weapons programs. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and NPR's Mike Shuster.