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In a joint news conference at the White House Friday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bush reaffirm their commitment to "stay the course" in Iraq. Bush affirms that he will invite the United Nations take the lead in guiding Iraq's transition to self-rule, scheduled to begin June 30. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice has refused to testify publicly before the panel investigating the Sept. 11 attacks. Former national security advisors Zbigniew Brzezinski and William Clark say Rice's refusal is in accord with the law and history of executive privilege, but it endangers the nation's trust in the Bush administration. Hear NPR's Juan Williams, Brzezinski and Clark.

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice testifies before the Sept. 11 panel, amid a highly politicized atmosphere fueled by allegations that the White House ignored the al Qaeda threat. White House officials are looking to Rice to vindicate their plans to address terrorism prior to the 2001 attacks. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and NPR's Larry Abramson.

U.S. commanders say American forces will respond to last week's killings of four civilian contractors in Fallujah... but it will come at a time and place the Marines choose. Meanwhile, three Iraqis accused of launching rocket attacks on the Marine base there are arrested. Hear NPR's Howard Berkes and Eric Niiler of member station KPBS, who is embedded with the First Marine Division.

Insurgents launch mortars at an Iraqi prison, killing 22 prisoners and injuring an estimated 92 others. U.S.-led forces in Iraq are using the Abu Ghraib prison to hold suspected Saddam Hussein sympathizers and insurgents. It's unclear why the prison was targeted. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and NPR's Philip Reeves.

Concern over lost U.S. jobs and corporate "outsourcing" is prompting lawmakers on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures to propose laws to discourage companies from sending work overseas. But a group of about 200 well-financed trade groups has formed a new coalition to try to keep these bills from ever becoming law. NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports.

Iraq's governing council signs an interim constitution, a key step in U.S. plans to surrender sovereignty on June 30. The law establishes a federated state where Islam is the official religion and women are assured a political role. The signing had been delayed by deadly bombings at Shiite shrines and last-minute objections from Shiite members of the council. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

Pakistani authorities say they believe their troops have cornered Osama bin Laden's top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, near the Afghan-Pakistan border. Pakistani forces are engaged in a fierce battle there with tribal leaders and al Qaeda fighters. U.S. officials say they cannot confirm the reports. Hear NPR's Mary Louise Kelly.

A large explosion destroys the Mount Lebanon Hotel in downtown Baghdad, sparking fires, damaging nearby buildings and causing an unknown number of casualties. Rescuers are still pulling bodies from the rubble. Earlier, angry Iraqis pushed back U.S. soldiers trying to help. Hear NPR's Madeleine Brand and Los Angeles Times reporter John Daniszewski in Baghdad.

The U.S.-backed Haitian Council of Sages chooses businessman Gerard Latortue as Haiti's interim prime minister. The council noted Latortue's experience in the United Nations and frequent visits to Haiti as qualities that make him a good candidate, despite his living outside of Haiti for most of the past 40 years. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and council member Anne-Marie Issa.