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French president Jacques Chirac welcomes Russian president Vladimir Putin on a three-day state visit, and announces Russia signs on to a French-German initiative to continue U.N. weapons inspections in Iraq as an alternative to war. Meanwhile, President Bush tells religious broadcasters Saddam would use his own citizens as human shields. Hear reports from NPR's Nick Spicer and NPR's Don Gonyea.

For six generations, Mohawk Indian ironworkers have shaped New York City's skyline, working the "high steel" of skyscrapers and bridges. From The Sonic Memorial Project and Lost & Found Sound, hear the stories of the Mohawks who helped build the World Trade Center Twin Towers -- and their descendents who returned to the site after Sept. 11, to help clear the shattered towers away.

The Israeli army faces little resistance as it dismantles 10 uninhabited settlement outposts on the West Bank under the terms of the U.S.-backed "road map" to Mideast peace. But Jewish settlers vow to block the destruction of any populated outposts. Israeli officials say they will "proceed with the plan" and ignore the protests. Hear NPR's Linda Gradstein.

Wisconsin health officials are investigating at least three possible cases of human-to-human infection of monkeypox. If confirmed, they would be the first cases of person-to-person spread of the disease in the United States. The U.S. outbreak of the disease has so far involved people who got infected from pets. NPR's Richard Knox reports.

A massive heat wave continues to broil many parts of the United States, with temperatures topping 100 degrees for the third consecutive day in many places. And with high humidity and other factors, the heat index shows that the temperatures often feel even hotter.

A decade after the Welfare Reform Act gave states grants to run their own anti-poverty programs, many can cite much progress in moving people from welfare to the workforce. None more than Wyoming. But there are concerns about the working poor.

From the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, President Bush terms the defeat of Saddam Hussein "one victory" in a continuing war on terrorism. Bush says major combat operations in Iraq have ended, but much work remains to help in the country's reconstruction. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

New U.S. administrator for Iraq Paul Bremer bans up to 30,000 members of the Baath party from working for government ministries. But despite Bremer's insistence that the country's security condition is improving, Iraqis express frustration with ongoing disorder -- and they blame U.S. postwar administrators. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

Paul Bremer, the top U.S. civilian official in Iraq, denies media reports that the Bush administration is postponing the creation of an transitional Iraqi authority. In the northern city of Mosul, Bremer meets with the city council billed as postwar Iraq's first elected body. Hear NPR's Guy Raz.

U.S. officials in Iraq discount Mohammed Mohsen al-Zubaidi's claim to be the mayor of Baghdad. Zubaidi says he was elected by a group of clerics, academics and tribal leaders -- and he says he's in frequent contact with U.S. military commanders. NPR's Scott Simon reports.