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U.N. envoys say it's not possible to hold open elections in Iraq before June 30, the date U.S. authorities plan to hand over power to an interim Iraqi government. Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani, a Shia Muslim cleric at the heart of the debate, said he accepts the U.N. determination but urges elections as soon as possible. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel and NPR's Deborah Amos.

Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide steps down, bowing to months of protests and a growing armed rebellion that had taken over several cities. International attempts to broker a power-sharing agreement between Aristide and the opposition proved fruitless, leading several nations -- including France and the United States -- to call for Aristide to step down. NPR's Liane Hansen talks with NPR's Gerry Hadden from Port-au-Prince.

An Islamic militant Web site posts video purporting to show the beheading of U.S. civilian Nick Berg, 26, at the hands of masked men in Iraq. Berg had been missing since April 9; his decapitated body was found Saturday. A voice on the tape tied the killing to abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison; it also invoked the name of al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Hear NPR's Michele Kelemen.

The Pfizer drug company agrees to pay a $430 million fine and plead guilty to illegal marketing practices, U.S. prosecutors say. The unprecedented fine comes after the company admitted that its Warner-Lambert unit promoted Neurontin, an epilepsy drug, for several unapproved uses. The drug remains a top seller for Pfizer, with 2003 sales of $2.7 billion. NPR's Snigdha Prakash reports.

The family of Nicholas Berg, the U.S. civilian beheaded in Iraq, blames the U.S. government for their son's death. Berg's father, Michael Berg, cited e-mails that he said indicated that Berg was in American military custody at the time he had planned to return home. The CIA has identified the man who killed Berg as terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. NPR's Ari Shapiro reports.

President Bush said Monday night that Iraqis will receive full sovereignty after June 30. But analysts note that the interim Iraqi government won't have any say over U.S. troops in the country, and it's questionable whether it will have full control over Iraq's military and police forces. Bush's timeline for Iraq will require a strong American military presence there for at least another year and a half. Hear NPR's Mike Shuster.

U.S. troops engage in fighting with Shiite militants loyal to rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Kufa, near the southern Iraqi city of Najaf. The clashes come one day after Sadr agreed to pull his militia out of Najaf, provided U.S. forces withdrew to their bases outside the city. U.S. military officials say the truce remains in place. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Peter Kenyon.

U.S. forces arrest a key aide to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and wage battles with militia loyal to the Shiite leader. The aide, Riyadh al-Nouri, was taken captive at a house in Najaf. He is al-Sadr's brother-in-law. An Army spokesman said a "very large number" of youths -- members of al-Sadr's militia -- were killed in fighting in Najaf and Sadr City. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.

Pentagon officials confirm that Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, will give up his command this summer. But officials deny the move is linked to allegations that Sanchez knew about abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison. Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the Army's second-ranking general, will replace Sanchez. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Michele Kelemen.

The Washington Post reports new pictures and short videos show prisoners being physically and sexually abused at Abu Ghraib last year. Sworn statements from detainees describe a range of abuse more brutal than previously reported. Meanwhile, Iraqi officials say they've made several arrests in connection to the beheading of American civilian Nick Berg. Hear NPR's Mary Louise Kelly.