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National

Monday

Business

War Costs, Tax Cuts Top Agenda for Congress

Congress is expected to approve President Bush's $75-billion request to fund the war in Iraq, but the House and Senate must reconcile differences over the size of a proposed tax cut. The House passed the president's package, worth $726 billion over 10 years. But the war's growing price tag makes the Senate reluctant to sign off on the entire amount. NPR's David Welna reports.

War Costs, Tax Cuts Top Agenda for Congress

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World

Pentagon: Iraq Weakening

Pentagon officials say they're starting to see a breakdown among Republican Guard forces outside Baghdad as ground battles and heavy airstrikes take their toll. The Pentagon also raises the possibility that Saddam Hussein is dead or in flight. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden.

Pentagon: Iraq Weakening

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World

Rumsfeld Defends U.S. War Plan

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld dismisses claims the United States was unprepared for the ground war in Iraq and says there will be no delay in the push toward Baghdad. NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to Tom Ricks of The Washington Post.

Rumsfeld Defends U.S. War Plan

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Sunday

World

Baghdad Airstrikes Increase

Fires burn in Baghdad as the U.S.-led bombardment of the city and nearby Republican Guard positions reportedly steps up in frequency. Inside the city, the infrastructure begins to degrade as telephones fail and supply shortages threaten. Yet, reporters in the city say Saddam's regime seems in complete control. Hear Paul Eedle.

Baghdad Airstrikes Increase

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Friday

Following Rep. Max Burns

NPR's Juan Williams visits Rep. Max Burns, the freshman Republican congressman from Georgia. Burns says he supports President Bush's decision to attack Iraq. He also backs the president's proposed tax cut, yet Burns' constituents tell him their first priority is getting more jobs into south Georgia. Their conversation is part of an occasional series on how the congressman is adjusting to political life in Washington.

Following Rep. Max Burns

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Culture

In My Country

A sewing circle made up of refugee women from around the world has been meeting regularly in Portland, Ore., for 3 years. The women gather to share techniques, stories, and support each other as they adjust to life in the U.S. At the latest meeting, in the backroom of a public library, a few of them discussed their feelings about the war in Iraq with NPR's Ketzel Levine.

In My Country

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Business

Contract Process for Rebuilding Iraq Called Unfair

The federal government is about to select several U.S. firms to oversee the rebuilding of Iraq. Some say it's unseemly for American firms to earn a profit repairing damage inflicted by the U.S. military. European companies were shut out from the bidding process. NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports.

Contract Process for Rebuilding Iraq Called Unfair

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World

U.S. War Plan Under Fire

A week into the war with Iraq, the White House and Pentagon find themselves defending the war plan against charges it misjudged the adversary. The senior U.S. Army commander inside Iraq provoked the latest controversy, saying the enemy his troops are fighting "is different from the one we'd war-gamed against." NPR's Tom Gjelten reports.

U.S. War Plan Under Fire

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Protests Re-Tool to Support Troops, Oppose War

Peace activists shift efforts from trying to prevent war to stopping one under way. With steady support among Americans for the assault on Iraq, activists also look for ways to oppose the war while showing support for the troops who are fighting it. Nancy Solomon reports.

Protests Re-Tool to Support Troops, Oppose War

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Thursday

World

Wounded U.S. Troops Tell of Ordeals in Iraq

Speaking at a military hospital in Germany, two U.S. Army sergeants and a Marine wounded in combat describe their ordeals in Iraq. The men express surprise at the amount of resistance they faced from Iraqis, and tell of Iraqi troops disguising themselves in civilian dress. NPR's Emily Harris reports.

Wounded U.S. Troops Tell of Ordeals in Iraq

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World

Rumsfeld: Victory "Assured"

Military analysts criticize the U.S. war plan as fierce Iraqi resistance slows the march toward Baghdad. Critics say U.S. commanders made a mistake by not sending more ground forces to Iraq. On Capitol Hill, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld defends the war plan, saying the "outcome is assured" and the ruling regime will be removed. Hear NPR's Tom Gjelten.

Rumsfeld: Victory "Assured"

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Wednesday

Military Families, Friends Mourn Toll of War

The Defense Department says the war in Iraq has claimed 24 American lives. Another seven are held as prisoners, and six are listed as missing in action. Across the country, families and friends grieve for their loved ones. NPR's David Molpus reports.

Military Families, Friends Mourn Toll of War

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Polls: American Resolve over Iraq Remains Steady

American public opinion shifts as the war enters its second week. New polls show the number of Americans who think the war is going well is down from 70 percent to 38 percent. Still, seven out of 10 Americans remain confident the U.S. made the right decision by invading Iraq. Hear NPR's Michele Norris.

Polls: American Resolve over Iraq Remains Steady

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World

Bush: War 'Far From Over'

At Central Command headquarters in Florida, President Bush says the United States will be "relentless" in its pursuit of victory in Iraq. But he warns the war is "far from over" and that U.S. forces will face "the most desperate elements of a doomed regime" as they close in on Baghdad. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and NPR's Don Gonyea.

Bush: War 'Far From Over'

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