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The White House denies it had advance knowledge of Israel's plan to kill Sheik Ahmed Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas, which has threatened to retaliate against Israel and the United States. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice points to signs of progress in the Mideast peace process, despite Yassin's killing. Hear NPR's Vicky O'Hara.

Bombings at Shiite Muslim shrines in Baghdad and Karbala have led to increased demands for Shiite militiamen to be given authorization to help maintain security in Shiite areas. Officials of the U.S. occupation authority remain opposed to the idea. NPR's Ivan Watson reports.

Shiite Muslims take steps to ensure their safety as the Ashoura celebration draws to a close. Iraqis establish checkpoints to protect the Kadhimiya mosque, site of one of several bomb attacks Tuesday that left hundreds of Shiite pilgrims dead or wounded. Criticizing U.S. security efforts, Shiites renew calls for an armed militia. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Ivan Watson.

Leaks of any kind are rare at the Supreme Court, but in 1973, the original Roe decision was leaked to the press before the court formally announced it. The chief justice was furious.

In the 16th century, Copernicus published a book that launched the scientific revolution. In it, he declared the planets revolved around the sun, not Earth. But modern day scholars say the book was barely read in its day. Author Owen Gingerich talks with NPR's Robert Siegel about whether that claim is true.

Britain's biggest bookie has stopped taking bets on the existence -- current or past -- of life on Mars. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with Warren Lush, spokesman for Ladbrokes betting service, about the decision, which Lush says stemmed from NASA's scientific findings announced this week.

Numerous organizations are trying to advance a United Nations call to get medicines to developing countries, but the challenges of following through on such health initiatives are formidable. In Africa, nearly 30 million people are living with HIV, but only 2 percent of people who need AIDS treatment receive it. NPR's Brenda Wilson reports.

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.

NPR's John Ydstie talks with Robert Fatton about the latest developments in Haiti's crisis, and the factors contributing to the country's instability. Fatton is a professor at the University of Virginia and author of Haiti's Predatory Republic: The Unending Transition to Democracy.

One hundred years ago, big bandleader Glenn Miller was born in Clarinda, Iowa. A master of marketing and pop sensibility, Miller turned out one hit record after another with his orchestra between 1938 and 1944. "In the Mood," "Moonlight Serenade" and other Miller hits stirred dancers, inspired wartime America and became classics. Tom Vitale reports.