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Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announces a reduction in the number of U.S. troops in Iraq. Rumsfeld said the number of U.S. combat brigades in Iraq will be cut to 15 from 17. The top ground commander in Iraq, Gen. George Casey, also said he could advise further cuts in troop levels by spring.

A report issued Friday by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee says claims that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction were "not supported by the underlying intelligence." The report blames the CIA for overstating the threat and criticizes outgoing CIA Director George Tenet for skewing advice to top policy makers. Hear NPR's Renee Montagne and NPR's Tom Gjelten.

A top U.S. government scientist who helped investigate deadly anthrax attacks in 2001 reportedly committed suicide as the federal probe shifted to him. Bruce Ivins, 62, was a bioresearcher at defense labs in Fort Detrick, Maryland.

The Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico places 15 employees on mandatory leave as the FBI investigates the disappearance of two data storage devices containing classified information. The incident raises questions over the balance between protecting top secret research at the nuclear weapons lab and scientists who value working unhindered by elaborate security measures. NPR's David Kestenbaum reports.

In Washington, two Republicans who voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump are aiming to fend off primary opponents.

The revolving door at No. 10 Downing Street keeps turning. Steve Bannon faces sentencing for defying the Jan. 6 committee's subpoena. Interest rates throw cold water on the once-hot housing market.

New York Times reporter Luke Broadwater says Trump and his allies were fixated on reversing the election: "It seemed like crazy stuff at the time ... but obviously it got extremely serious on Jan. 6."

By adding "liquidity" to the world's markets, the central banks aim to keep credit flowing.

As political leaders try to reach a deal to avoid automatic spending cuts and tax increases at the year's end, income tax rates are a major sticking point. President Obama wants to raise taxes for some; Republicans don't want any hikes. But if nothing is done, rates could go up across the board.

Two stories out of China — the escape of a blind dissident from house arrest and the corruption scandal involving a top politician and his family — have attracted international attention. But inside China, the picture is different. The government has successfully suppressed the story about the dissident, Chen Guangcheng, such that most Chinese have never even heard of him. The Communist Party has waged a smear campaign against the fallen official, Bo Xilai, whom citizens see as a loser in a power struggle, a corrupt politician or both.