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In May, President Bush signed an executive order that declared "null and void" any legal decisions that would claim Iraqi oil money. The administration says it just wants to guarantee money for Iraqi reconstruction. But critics say the words in the executive order could allow oil companies to act with impunity. NPR's Peter Overby reports.

A new poll for NPR shows that among likely voters, a majority believe the country is on the wrong track. Americans also say they are less confident in President Bush's job performance. Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg and Republican pollster Bill McInturff asked people for their views of President Bush, the war in Iraq and the state of the country. NPR's Mara Liasson reports.

The White House goes on the offensive to sell its plan to rebuild Iraq. In speeches given within days of one another, President Bush, Vice President Cheney and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice all emphasized the necessity of deposing Saddam Hussein and the progress being made in postwar Iraq. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

President Bush will address the nation from New Orleans Thursday evening, when he is expected to propose the biggest bailout for a region in national history. Bush will be speaking from Jackson Square, the center of the evacuated city.

Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito's confirmation hearings began Monday. Senators on the Judiciary Committee highlighted abortion, executive power and civil rights as issues on which they plan to question the nominee. Alito also gave an opening statement.

Jordanian officials say three "non-Jordanian" suicide bombers carried out Wednesday's deadly attacks on hotels in Amman. At least 57 people were killed. The Jordanian government says al Qaeda in Iraq is responsible, as the group had claimed.

Singer, songwriter and philanthropist Lou Rawls died Friday after a battle with cancer. Rawls' career spanned gospel, blues, jazz, pop and disco. For the last quarter century of his life, Rawls also devoted himself to educating black youth.

An appeals court says the Pentagon can resume criminal trials of some detainees at the Guantanamo prison camp. The military commissions were halted by a lower court, which ruled trials could not proceed until it was decided whether the detainees had the rights of prisoners of war.

The federal budget deficit has declined somewhat, according to new numbers released by the Congressional Budget Office. An increase in tax revenues caused the latest 2005 budget projections to cut the estimated deficit by $88 billion.

A Pentagon task force investigating possible religious intolerance at the U.S. Air Force Academy reports shortcomings, but no intentional discrimination based on religion. Cadets have complained of pressure to attend chapel and join prayer groups.