Good afternoon from New York.  There are a number of developments coming out of Iraq.   On Nightly news this evening we will be reporting on today's raid by U.S. troops on what they're calling an al Qaeda prison in Diyala. Dozens of prisoners, some showing apparent signs of torture were set free in the raid.  The operation is of particular significance to U.S. commanders because it was the result, they say, of Iraqi citizens stepping forward and speaking out against al Qaeda.  It's the kind of progress the Bush administration is eager to highlight. In fact our John Yang will report that more of the pressure for success in Iraq is coming from Republicans.  All sides are eagerly awaiting that progress report expected to come out in September.

If you watched the broadcast last night you no doubt heard rapid gunfire threatening to drown out Richard Engel's live report from outside a Palestinian refugee camp in Tripoli, Lebanon.  I'm happy to report Richard is safe and he will update us on the fighting there between government troops and Islamic militants that has forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes.

We will also examine the rising price of food.  The increasing demand for corn as a source of energy is having a ripple affect that many Americans are feeling at the grocery checkout aisle.

And our chief environmental correspondent Anne Thompson has a fascinating spot out of California where the rubber is truly meeting the road.  Rubber sidewalks are apparently now giving a big bounce to the green movement.

We'll look for you tonight on NBC Nightly News.