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U.S. troops engage in an overnight gun battle with militiamen loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr near the holy city of Najaf. The U.S. military says dozens of Iraqis died in the fighting. The battle comes as U.S. forces begin replacing departing Spanish troops. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Marines uncover suicide-bomber belts along with other weapons in besieged Fallujah. Also found were documents suggesting that foreign Muslim fighters have come to Iraq to attack the U.S.-led forces. Despite criticizing the U.S. strategy in the region, the Iraqi Governing Council continues to negotiate a truce. Hear Eric Niiler from member station KPBS and NPR's Philip Reeves.

Tens of thousands of mourners march through the streets of Gaza for the funeral of slain Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who was killed in an Israeli helicopter attack Monday. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says the killing was justified. Hamas officials vow revenge. Hear NPR's Peter Kenyon, NPR's Melissa Block and former U.S. ambassador to Israel Samuel Lewis.

Five U.S. soldiers are killed in a roadside bombing west of Baghdad. In Fallujah, four civilian foreigners -- including one American -- are killed when insurgents ambush their vehicles in Fallujah, a Sunni stronghold. Cheering crowds drag the corpses through the streets and hang them from a bridge. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

A U.N. team arrives in Baghdad to begin planning for national elections. U.N. experts will make recommendations on who gets to vote and how -- questions of increasing importance as Iraqi officials near the June 30 deadline for the return of sovereignty. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Insurgents in Fallujah, west of Baghdad, kill four U.S. contractors traveling in two SUVs. A rowdy crowd at the scene then dragged the bodies through the streets. Nearby, five U.S. soldiers were killed in a separate bombing attack. NPR's Ivan Watson reports.

Three U.S. soldiers are wounded in a roadside bombing just outside of Fallujah, west of the Baghdad. The attack comes as U.S. civilian and military officials in Baghdad condemn the events of Wednesday, when the bodies of four U.S. civilians killed by insurgents were dragged through the streets of Fallujah. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson, NPR's Melissa Block and former Marine "Bing" West.

Spanish police detain an Algerian in connection with last week's deadly terrorist bombings in Madrid. Police believe they have identified five Moroccans who took part in the attacks, but say other foreigners may have been involved. Officials are still investigating a possible link to al Qaeda. NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and professor Jessica Stern.

U.S. Marines besiege the Iraqi town of Fallujah, west of Baghdad, where crowds mutilated the bodies of four American civilians killed in a roadside attack last Wednesday. The Marines are preparing a new offensive in Fallujah to root out those responsible for the killings. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and Eric Niiler of member station KPBS in San Diego.

Condoleezza Rice, President Bush's chief national security adviser, will appear Thursday before the Sept. 11 commission. Rice will testify under oath for the first time. She met privately with panel members in February. This appearance follows questions raised by others who have testified before the commission. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.