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Under intense international pressure, Syrian President Bashar Assad has allowed some reforms to loosen the hold of the police state he inherited from his father. But change isn't happening fast enough for the Bush administration and Syrian reformers, who fear a government crackdown if the political climate shifts.

Republicans on a House comittee say they want to begin a preliminary investigation of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX). But Democrats seem unlikely to accept the inquiry until new, lenient ethics rules are revised. They say new rules put in place by the GOP leadership were designed to protect DeLay.

A Mississippi jury convicts former Klan leader Edgar Ray Killen of manslaughter for his role in the deaths of three voter registration workers in 1964. The guilty verdict was rendered on the 41st anniversary of the murders in Philadelphia, Miss.

British police raid several residences in northern England as part of the investigation into last week's bombings in London. Investigators are suggesting that the four bombs that exploded last Thursday were of military quality -- not the crude devices that were initially suspected.

President Bush names John Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a congressional recess appointment that underlines the president's frustration with the reluctance of lawmakers to confirm the nominee. Bolton can now serve 17 months, until the end of the current Congress.

Israeli police and soldiers break down the main gate of the largest Jewish settlement in Gaza and clear roads to allow moving trucks to enter. Israel's defense minister said Israel hopes to complete the Gaza pullout more quickly than planned.

President Bush offers details on his thoughts for fixing Social Security's long-term problems. During his first prime-time news conference of the second term, he suggested a plan to slow increases in payments to the wealthiest Americans.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger calls for a special election so voters can consider his far-reaching proposals on reshaping the state's government. The move bypasses the legislature. John Myers of member station KQED reports.

A bill that would provide $80 billion in supplemental spending, mostly for the war in Iraq, is bogged down in Congress. The Bush administration asked for the money two months ago. But both the House and Senate have tacked many unrelated items -- including controversial immigration legislation -- onto the bill.

Haifa Street has long been one of the most dangerous in Baghdad. Insurgents stage regular attacks on American troops patrolling the road. Now, the Iraqi Army is taking over the mission, but the U.S. military can't depart just yet. Deborah Amos reports from Baghdad on how the Iraqis are doing.