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Israeli police and soldiers break down the main gate of the largest Jewish settlement in Gaza and clear roads to allow moving trucks to enter. Israel's defense minister said Israel hopes to complete the Gaza pullout more quickly than planned.

Researchers have figured out how to turn microscopic green algae into tiny beasts of burden capable of shouldering surprisingly big loads. The technique could lead to the harnessing of microorganisms for use in industry and biotech.

Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr agrees to disarm and withdraw his militia from the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, promising a possible end to two weeks of fighting. Negotiations with the cleric began several days ago. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

Fighting resumes in Najaf after a collapse in truce talks between Iraqi officials and radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Mortar shells hit Baghdad near where delegates are meeting to choose a national assembly. Hear NPR's Liane Hansen and John Burns of The New York Times.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez appears to have survived a recall referendum. The polling, which took place Sunday, gave Chavez an estimated 58 percent of the vote. Former President Jimmy Carter said his team of international election observers found no elements of fraud in the voting. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and NPR's Martin Kaste.

NPR's Scott Simon talks with Washington Post reporter Karl Vick in Najaf. An agreement to halt fighting in Najaf was reached between the Iraqi government and Muqtada al-Sadr this week. U.S. forces and militants loyal to al-Sadr battled for weeks before the deal was brokered by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

An Army investigation finds that more than two dozen members of an intelligence unit at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq played a role in abuses of prisoners there. The head of the investigation says there was "serious misconduct and a loss of moral values" at Abu Ghraib. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

A day after Gov. James McGreevey stunned New Jersey with news of a gay, extramarital affair, Republicans demand he leave office immediately. McGreevey, a Democrat, had said he would leave Nov. 15. An immediate departure would force a special election. Eugene Sonn reports.

President Bush endorses two key proposals of the 9-11 Commission: Creation of a national intelligence czar and a counter-terrorism center. The news comes as three regions of the country face an elevated terror threat, believed to be aimed at financial centers. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

Talks are under way between government lawyers and the lawyer for Yaser Esam Hamdi, a U.S. citizen held as an enemy combatant, for his release. Hamdi was captured on a battlefield in Afghanistan in 2001 and is currently being held in a Navy brig in Charleston, S.C. NPR's Larry Abramson reports.