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Jazz percussionist Mongo Santamaria dies on Feb. 1 at 85. Santamaria scored a Top-10 hit with his version of Herbie Hancock's jazz-funk classic "Watermelon Man" in 1963. He also wrote the song "Afro Blue," later performed and made famous by John Coltrane. NPR's Elizabeth Blair has a remembrance.

NPR's Michele Norris talks with NPR's Anne Garrels in Baghdad about Iraq's response to Secretary of State Powell's presentation at the Security Council today. Two of Saddam Hussein's top advisers were made available to reporters in the Iraqi capital shortly after Secretary Powell completed his presentation.

President-elect George W. Bush met today in Austin with top leaders from both parties on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The group talked about the Bush administration's plans for re-energizing the nation's military. As a candidate for president, Bush said military morale could be improved with higher pay and a redefined mission. NPR's Steve Inskeep has this story.

A New Jersey state supreme court justice will not face impeachment proceedings. Justice Peter Verniero is accused of misleading the public about the use of racial profiling by state police, but a top lawmaker has said he will block any attempt at impeachment. Eugene Sonn reports from member station WHYY in Philadelphia.

Promoters hope that a new exhibition at the National Gallery of Art will top the blockbuster King Tut show that drew crowds 25 years ago. And the Egyptian government thinks The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt might lure U.S. tourists back to the pyramids. David D'Arcy reports on the exhibit for Morning Edition.

Some lawyers and economists estimate that Iraq's foreign debt tops $100 billion. Some economists say much of the debt should be forgiven so Iraqis can rebuild their nation all the faster. But creditor-nations likely would balk at sweeping debt forgiveness. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

The mobilization of military reserve and National Guard units tops 168,000 troops, the largest call-up since the Persian Gulf War. When a key employee is called to active duty, it can disrupt large companies and damage smaller ones. NPR's Elaine Korry reports.

Tampa Bay topped Florida 4-1 to take a 1-0 series lead.

Blue Highway's CD Marbletown is topping the bluegrass charts and has been nominated for a Grammy. Founder Tim Stafford and dobro player Rob Ickes tell Debbie Elliott what's behind the group's music.

President Bush taps former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik to head the Homeland Security Department. Kerik was the top police official in New York during the Sept. 11 attacks. Hear NPR's Renee Montagne and WNYC's Andrea Bernstein.

Shoring up Social Security for the wave of retiring baby boomers is a top priority at President Bush's economic summit taking place at the White House.

The entrance to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., is topped with a gigantic pair of mouse ears right now to promote a new exhibit celebrating Disneyland's 50th anniversary. Detroit Public Radio's Celeste Headlee reports.

The German shorthaired pointer who won the top prize at Tuesday's Westminster dog show is called Carlee by her owners. But the dog's official name is Ch Kan-Point's VJK Autumn Roses -- a typical name for a champion pure bred. Slate's Andy Bowers explains why show dogs have such lengthy names.

Turkey's top general says he won't send large-scale forces into Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq unless troops patrolling the border regions are attacked. The announcement reassures Turkey's NATO allies and Kurdish leaders, who oppose any large Turkish deployment in Iraq. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

Most polls show health care is a top concern for Democratic primary voters. The Democratic presidential candidates talk about health care regularly, but they don't always provide an accurate description of the issues and figures involved. NPR's Julie Rovner reports.

Voters headed to the polls Tuesday for statewide primaries in Ohio and Indiana. In Ohio, an open Senate contest has top billing.

A car bomb explodes near the Baghdad police station, wounding at least 14 people and damaging the offices of the U.S.-appointed police chief. The blast comes four days after an explosion at a Najaf mosque killed a top Shiite cleric and at least 80 others. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson and Fawaz Gerges of Sarah Lawrence College.

Military officials deny that the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, knew about the abuse of Iraqi prisoners in American custody. Reports in The Washington Post described prospective testimony that would place Sanchez as a witness of some abuses. The story brought stern denials from the Pentagon. Hear NPR's Libby Lewis.

Barack Obama is basking in the glow of his victory in South Carolina. Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving examines how important that primary really is and what Hillary Clinton needs to do to come out on top.

Numerous levees have already failed to hold back floodwaters in parts of the Midwest this week. The federal government says many more are likely to be topped. Engineering experts agree the nation's levee system needs a second look. Adriene Hill of Chicago Public Radio reports.

Updating the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is one of Congress's top priorities in 2008. FISA, as the law is known, generally tells the president that he must have a court order to spy on Americans in the United States.

NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports George W. Bush says he's making education his top priority when he takes office. He has an advantage. Congress just approved the single largest increase in educational funds. Now, Bush's plan is to give states a block sum in the form of grants and each state can deem best how to use it.

- Daniel speaks with investigative reporter Scott Armstrong about the nature of FBI background checks. The FBI has over 3 million files on a wide range of people from top presidential aides to low level workers who have access to certain government offices. Armstrong argues that the creation of these files is a waste of money and time, particularly considering that very little relevant information is uncovered by background checks.

President Clinton urged what he called a "spirit of reconciliation" today in a speech at a prayer breakfast at the White House. As NPR's Mara Liasson reports, Mr. Clinton called on Americans to heal divisions caused by politics, race and other factors. The president said his top priorities for his second term are education, welfare, family values, the economy and foreign policy.

The annual meeting usually lets the leaders of the seven largest free market democracies discuss their economic policies, but the truck bombing in Saudi Arabia has pushed terrorism to the top of their agenda.