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The United States and France are facing strong opposition from Lebanon and Arab states over a proposed cease-fire resolution at the United Nations. Their fundamental objection: Lebanon's government wants Israeli troops out of Lebanon, and the resolution doesn't require that to happen right away. Arab foreign ministers are in Beirut to discuss the conflict.

We'll explore the history of "Hail to the Chief." It will be played twice on Jan. 20, which is Inauguration Day. Once for Barack Obama and once for Donald Trump.

Soldiers with the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry division conduct patrols in Baghdad to help re-establish law and order in the city. U.S. forces are also helping Iraqi engineers to restore power. Many Iraqis welcome the Army's increased presence but want the U.S. military to do more, faster, to increase security and repair damage. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

U.N. envoys say it's not possible to hold open elections in Iraq before June 30, the date U.S. authorities plan to hand over power to an interim Iraqi government. Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani, a Shia Muslim cleric at the heart of the debate, said he accepts the U.N. determination but urges elections as soon as possible. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel and NPR's Deborah Amos.

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.

A U.N. envoy meets with Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric, seeking to resolve the dispute over the cleric's call to elect a transitional assembly. U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi says he agrees with Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's demand for elections but is unsure whether a vote could be held before a June 30 U.S. deadline for a power transfer. NPR's Deborah Amos reports.

U.S. and EU officials begin talks Monday on a free-trade deal that could create thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in new trade. But there are deep-seated differences that may make it difficult to reach an accord. Among the most contentious: agriculture and whether genetically modified crops grown in the U.S. will be accepted in Europe.

Fewer ships from China are docking in the U.S., which hurts U.S. farmers who send exports on the ships' return trips. And perishables that do make it sometimes rot on the docks in China.

California and Great Britain agree to become partners in the fight against global warming. The deal was sealed at the port of Long Beach, where British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger promised to share clean-air technology and research.

The first supply planes have touched down in the newly renamed Baghdad Airport, now controlled by U.S. forces despite sporadic attacks from Iraqi forces. Hear NPR's Eric Westervelt, with the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division.