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President George Bush makes a rare trip to the Pentagon to give support to his beleaguered secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld. As several prominent Democrats call for Rumsfeld's resignation over the Iraq prison abuse scandal, there is also some discontent among uniformed officials over Rumsfeld's policies and leadership style. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

The European Union wants to sharpen its sanctions against Russia. But its leaders acknowledge Europe's economy could suffer.

Members of Congress are shown more photos of Iraqi prisoner abuse. Lawmakers describe images that are more graphic and sexually explicit than those that have been published so far. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.

The Pentagon issues a denial of charges that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld began a secret program to collect intelligence from foreign detainees independently of the CIA. The report, in a New Yorker article by Seymour M. Hersh, describes Rumsfeld approving the use of Special Access Programs personnel for interrogations in Iraq. Hear NPR's Liane Hansen and Hersh.

Heard described years of alleged abuse at the hands of the movie star.

The campaigns of President Bush and Sen. John Kerry are pouring resources into states that may provide them with leverage in key regions. Bush is staking a claim to Minnesota, which he narrowly lost in 2000, while Kerry is attempting to solidify his support in Louisiana. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel, Lawrence Jacobs of the University of Minnesota and John Maginnis, publisher of LaPolitics.com.

As Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld prepares to testify Friday before a Senate panel investigating the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, critics call for his resignation. President Bush has privately rebuked Rumsfeld for failing to tell him about pictures of prisoner mistreatment. A White House spokesman says Bush wants Rumsfeld to stay on the job. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea.

U.S. officials in Baghdad announce that military policeman Spc. Jeremy Sivits will be the first to face a court-martial over prisoner abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison. The May 19 proceeding will determine whether Sivits merits a "bad conduct discharge." Observers say the speed with which the charges are being brought reflects the military's desire to put the abuse scandal to rest. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by half a percentage point Wednesday, in an effort to cool off demand and lower inflation. Consumer prices have been rising at the fastest pace in 40 years.

As President Bush campaigns in the Midwest, he highlights an improved economy but finds he can't ignore the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea and Brian Bull of Wisconsin Public Radio.