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Iraqi insurgents kidnap a Western contractor, identified as Australian Douglas Wood, amid an upsurge of violence in Iraq. Two bombs explode in Baghdad Monday morning. More than 100 people, including 11 U.S. soldiers, have been killed in the last four days.

The departures of the senior vice presidents for Communications and for Human Resources, follows on the heels of strong criticism of the company's handling of the recall of nearly 2.6 million cars.

There were 357,000 first-time claims for unemployment insurance last week, down 6,000 from the week before.

John talks with Mike Fleeman, a correspondent for People magazine, about the verdict in the Winona Ryder trial. Ryder was convicted today of shoplifting more than $5,000 worth of merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. The jury found Ryder guilty of felony grand theft and vandalism, but aquitted her of burglary. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 6.

Robert talks with Edward Wessex, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth, about his new project Crown and Country III. It's a 6-part series that begins airing this evening on public television. Edward Wessex wrote, produced and directed the series which explores British sites and their relation to the monarchy through the ages. (7:30) Find more information on the internet at http://www.pbs.org/whatson/press/fall/crown_city.html

NPR's John Burnett reports that as the nation debates President Bush's proposed $1.6 trillion tax cut, state lawmakers in Texas have a queasy feeling of deja vu. Texas slashed taxes under then-Governor Bush and now many legislators wish they hadn't. With health costs soaring and sales tax revenues rising more slowly than predicted, the state finds itself wondering how to pay for unforeseen expenses.

Linda Wertheimer is joined by David Brooks, senior editor at the Weekly Standard and E.J. Dionne, a columnist for the Washington Post and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, to talk about the first 100 days of George W. Bush's presidency. They discuss Bush's leadership and management style, his efforts to rally support behind his $1.6 trillion tax cut and his approach to foreign policy.

The Supreme Court rules in favor of Oregon's physician-assisted-suicide law in a 6-to-3 decision. The justices find the state has the right to allow doctors to prescribe lethal doses of drugs for terminally ill, mentally sound patients.

Allen Toussaint, evacuated from New Orleans after the floods hit, is a songwriter best known for the hit "Working in the Coal Mine." He wrote songs for The Meters, Dr. John, Patti LaBelle and many others, and was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. (This interview was first broadcast on Jan. 6, 1988.)

Billy Joel doesn't perform on his latest CD, a collection of classical pieces he composed. The 'piano man' explains why — and reveals what he's learned about his craft (6:58-7:45) Billy Joel: Fantasies & Delusions, Op. 1-10. Sony/Columbia.