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From NPR news in Washington, I'm Carl Kasell.

President Bush has made good on his promise to Congress by vetoing a war funding measure that set a timetable for US troop withdrawal from Iraq. In a live address to the nation, the President said the legislation would have set a date for failure. “It makes no sense to tell the enemy when you plan to start withdrawing. All that terrorists should have to do is mark their calendars and gather their strength and begin plotting how to overthrow the government and take control of the country of Iraq." The House will try to override the veto today, but is expected to fall a well short of the 2/3 majority that is needed. Lawmakers also will begin working on an alternative measure. Congressional leaders head to the White House this afternoon to discuss details with President Bush. NPR's David Welna has more.
Top democrats concede their next version of a war funding bill will be without the troop withdrawal time table that propped the presidential veto. But the Senate's No.2 democrat Dick Durbin says that bill should have benchmarks. "If benchmarks are meaningful, there have to be some consequences. If the Iraqis fail to meet the benchmarks, they have to pay a price." and that it appears republicans may back benchmarks as well despite the President's request for what he calls "a clean bill". Here is Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell. "There are a number of republicans who do think that some kind of benchmarks properly-crafted would actually be helpful." And Maine republican senator Olympia Snowe wants them to mean something. "These benchmarks have to be measured by something more than progress reports." Snowe says the White House should give some ground in the war funding standoff. David Welna, NPR news the Capitol.


A prescription drug bill being debated on the Senate floor this week is likely to expand to incorporate food safety provisions as well. NPR's Julie Rovner has more.
The bill's primary purpose is to renew a program that requires brand name drug-markers to pay user fees to the Food and Drug Administration, so it can hire additional staff to speed up reviews of new drugs. Senators have also added language to change the way the FDA ensures drug safety. But in the wake of scandals involving tinned spinage, peanut butter and pet food, now senators may also add in an amendment to increase the FDA's power of police the nation's food supply. Illinois democrat Richard Durbin says FDA has recently not been up to test. "Imports up, Inspectors down. Are we surprised at what's happened? The FDA doesn't have the resources or the authority to make sure that what we're bringing in from overseas is safe." The amendment is expected to come up for a vote later this week. Julie Rovner, NPR news Washington.


Japanese stock prices closed higher today. The Nikkei Average rose by nearly 120 points. Oil prices rose in Asian trading. US light crude for June delivery rose by 25 cents to $64.65 a barrel.

This is NPR news.

There are growing calls for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign following a report that sharply criticized his conduct during last summer's war against Hezbollah guerrillas in south Lebanon. NPR's Linda Gradstein reports from Jerusalem.
The fraction leader of Olmert’s Kadima Party today said the Prime Minister had lost the confidence of his party and should quit to make way for a new government. He also said that if Olmert remains in power, he would resign in protest. Avigdor Yitzhaki is one of the most influential lawmakers in Israel’s parliament and his criticism is a sharp blow to Olmert. Israeli medias say the forerunner to replace the Prime Minister is Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, one of the few popular politicians in Israel these days. Olmert and Livni are to meet later today to discuss the crisis. Yesterday a cabinet minister from Olmert's coalition partner labor resigned. The challenge to Olmert intensified on Monday when a government appointed commission found Olmert responsible for the mishandling of last summer's war against Hezbollah. Linda Gradstein NPR news Jerusalem.


The family that controls the Dow Jones says it will oppose the unsolicited 5 billion dollar bid for the company form news corporation. Dow offer from Rupert Murdoch's media empire which includes Fox news channel among its holdings worth for $60 a share either in cash or a combination of cash and stock. News of the offering for the company that publishes the Wall Street Journal sent Dow Jones shares soaring. However Dow Jones says the bankrupt family, the company's controlling shareholders, intends to vote shares representing over 50% of the voting power against the deal.

I'm Carl Kasell, NPR news in Washington.