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As U.S.-led forces in Iraq confront a growing insurgency, they face an ominous new developmtent: hostage-taking. American Marines continue to battle for control of the town of Fallujah, west of Baghdad. In southern Iraq, Shiite fighters loyal to radical cleric Muqtada Sadr are said to be in full control of two towns and parts of another. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel and NPR's Philip Reeves.

As the United States reports the death of another soldier in Iraq, the head of a visiting U.N. delegation says security must improve if the country is to hold general elections by January. The U.S. military has accepted responsibility for the shooting deaths early this month of two Arabic television reporters, but insists the incident was an accident. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

Renowned British broadcaster Alistair Cooke, the longtime host of PBS' Masterpiece Theatre, has died at his home in New York at the age of 95. No cause of death was given, but earlier this month, Cooke retired because of heart disease. For 58 years, Cooke's Letter from America program was heard on the BBC's World Service and Britain's Radio 4. NPR's Bob Edwards has a remembrance.

The national commission examining U.S. counter-terrorism policy prior to the Sept. 11 attacks hears from defense secretaries and secretaries of state from the Clinton and current Bush administrations. The commission's preliminary report says both administrations relied primarily on diplomacy, rather than military force, to counter al Qaeda. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel and NPR's Pam Fessler.

U.S. administrator for Iraq Paul Bremer declares militant Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr an "outlaw" and says the U.S.-led coalition is determined to restore law and order to Baghdad and other restive Iraqi cities. On Sunday, al-Sadr called for anti-American protests that turned violent in several cities, killing dozens of Iraqis, eight U.S. servicemen and a Salvadoran soldier. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep.

President Bush will briefly address the nation on the subject of Iraq Tuesday night before taking questions from White House reporters. The bulk of the questions are expected to deal with stiffening resistance to the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq and intelligence reports on terrorist activity prior to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea and NPR's Melissa Block.

U.S. forces surrounding Fallujah loosen the perimeter they've established to allow injured residents to get hospital treatment without evacuating the besieged city. Meanwhile, U.S. military and administrative officials hold a second day of talks with representatives of the insurgents who control the city. Elsewhere in Iraq, two Japanese hostages are freed. Hear NPR's Scott Simon and NPR's Emily Harris.

The Senate Rules Committee holds hearings on independent groups that run hard-hitting political ads in hopes of influencing voter sentiment in so-called "battleground" states this election season. Lawmakers from both parties are seeking to outlaw the groups, which are unfettered by restrictions placed on candidates and political parties. NPR's Peter Overby reports.

In testimony before the commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks, top officials from both the Clinton and Bush administrations defend their policies on the terrorist threat. The commission finds efforts against al Qaeda were hampered by a lack of intelligence, failed diplomatic overtures toward the Taliban and competing demands. Hear NPR's Pam Fessler.

Martha Stewart says she will appeal her conviction on charges of conspiracy, obstructing justice and making false statements to investigators. Stewart's stockbroker, Peter Baconovic, is found guilty of obstruction, conspiracy and perjury, but is acquitted of one charge of filing a false document. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and NPR's Jim Zarroli.