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With only five days before the beginning of an Iraqi interim government and increased United Nations presence there, the United States is scrambling to find countries willing to send forces to protect U.N. representatives. President Bush asked European Union nations for troops Friday; he is expected to repeat his requests at NATO meetings this week. Hear NPR's Liane Hansen and NPR's Vicky O'Hara.

President George Bush says he might not name a successor to outgoing CIA Director George Tenet before November's election. Tenet, whose post will be filled by a deputy when he steps down on Sunday, is leaving as the Senate Intelligence Committee prepares to release its report on the CIA's intelligence work on Iraq's weapons programs. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and NPR's Mike Shuster.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has nominated a four-star general to take command of U.S. forces in Iraq. Gen. George W. Casey, Jr. would replace Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez. Colleagues say Casey has demonstrated the ability to work closely with U.S. diplomats, a skill that will be needed in Iraq when the U.S. embassy goes into business in July. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

Saudi Arabian authorities are searching for three men accused of staging an attack on a compound that houses major Western oil firms. The Saudis say the men are suspected to have links to al Qaeda. Twenty-two people died during the two-day siege in Khobar, which ended when Saudi security forces stormed the building and freed several dozen hostages. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and Rashid Hussein, Saudi correspondent for the Pakistani newspaper, The Dawn.

Saudi officials say militants suspected to have links to al Qaeda killed 22 people before government commandos flushed them out of an upscale housing complex in an early-morning raid. The raid, launched from helicopters, ended a standoff stemming from Saturday's attacks on foreigners working in Khobar oil offices. Hear NPR's Linda Wertheimer and Global Radio News reporter Nigel Perry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that after Sept.11, but before the war in Iraq, Russia gave the Bush administration intelligence suggesting Saddam Hussein planned terrorist attacks on U.S. territory. Putin's surprise statement comes as the Bush administration defends its assertion that Saddam had ties to terrorist groups. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Lawrence Sheets.

President Bush urges the use of NATO troops in Iraq after the transfer of power to the country's interim government. Bush made his remarks during Group of 8 meetings being held at Sea Island, Ga., which bring together the leaders of wealthy industrial nations. French President Jacques Chirac objected to the proposal. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea and NPR's Robert Siegel.

Avenue Q, an adult musical featuring naughty puppets, wins the prize for best new musical at Sunday night's Tony Awards. In a major upset, Idina Menzel -- who plays the green-skinned Elphaba in Wicked, a retelling of the Wizard of Oz -- wins in the toughest race of the night, best actress in a musical. Phylicia Rashad becomes the first African American to win best actress in a play for her role in a A Raisin in the Sun. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep.

President Bush outlines his plans for the next four years Thursday, pledging to fight the war on terror as well as reform the tax code and make fundamental changes in social security. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

A mother duck and her ducklings found an unusual home at NPR's building.