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Pakistani officials say they believe there are about 600 al Qaeda militants along the mountainous frontier with Afghanistan. Many are Arabs and their families who first settled in the region in the 1980s, when they came to wage a Jihad against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. NPR's Philip Reeves speaks with two women of Arab origin who hid in the hills along the frontier.

Though his assistance in the U.S. war on terrorism has stirred violent opposition at home, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf would prefer to see a second term for President Bush, analysts say. Some suggest as president, Sen. John Kerry would demand more democratic reforms from Pakistan. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.

India Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee concedes defeat in the country's general election, clearing the way for Sonia Gandhi to become India's next prime minister. Sonia Gandhi is the widow of assassinated former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Philip Reeves.

Sonia Gandhi, heir to India's Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, gives up her chance to become prime minister, reportedly to protect her Congress Party's new government from attacks over her Italian birth. Manmohan Singh, architect of the country's financial reforms, is now seen as the favorite to become prime minister. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Members of Iraq's U.S.-appointed governing council are resisting plans to establish an interim government that would supplant the council when sovereignty is transferred in Iraq at the end of June. Some members of the council are sharply critical of U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, who has been given the lead role in setting up the interim government. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

For many Americans, saving for retirement can be a serious challenge, especially when inflation is rampant. Higher prices erode the buying power of money that retirees save for their future.

Iraqi security forces raid the town of Madaen, near Baghdad, seeking to free a large number of Shiite hostages. More than 100 hostages were reportedly taken by Sunni militants.

Car bombs kill more than 30 Iraqis in Samarra, and more attacks wound more tha 20 American Marines in Ramadi. U.S. and Iraqi forces stepped up attacks on Fallujah, preparing for a major offensive against insurgents there. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden and NPR's Philip Reeves.

A new truce has been announced that may end the U.S. siege of Fallujah. Marine commanders say their forces will pull back, and an Iraqi unit led by one of Saddam Hussein's former generals will take over the city. Clashes between the Marines and insurgents were reported soon after the plan was announced. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel and NPR's Philip Reeves.

Republicans in the House of Representatives are still scrambling to elect a speaker, a week after ousting Kevin McCarthy.