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NPR's John Burnett, with the Marine's 1st Division in Iraq, says forward movement of the column was slowed because of a firefight just south of Baghdad. Marine commanders say rifle fire and rocket-propelled grenades appeared to come from Iraqi irregulars -- some wearing black. Attacks such as these have slowed, but not stopped, forward movement of the Marines.

NPR's Joanne Silberner looks at the chronology of events in the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. It was only three weeks ago that the World Health Organization captured the world's attention by stating the illness posed a world-wide health threat. It said there had been hundreds of SARS cases in Guangdong province, and that the disease had spread to Hong Kong. Then other countries reported cases, mainly among travelers to China and their contacts. There were fears that the relatively rapid spread in China and Hong Kong might signal an epidemic, similar to the flu epidemic of 1918, which killed millions. The situation today looks less frightful, but scientists are still concerned.

NPR's Michele Norris talks with Craig Smith, reporter for the New York Times, in Umm Qasr in southern Iraq. Smith spoke with a Shiite cleric who told him that Ba'ath Party officials in Basra are seeking a way to surrender. The cleric says that the party officials have no support among Iraqi people there and are worried about mob violence against them if they step down.

The U.S. military investigates reports that an American warplane bombed a convoy of Kurdish fighters and U.S. Special Forces soldiers in northern Iraq, killing several people. A BBC reporter traveling with the convoy says he counted at least 10 bodies lying near the burning vehicles. NPR's Liane Hansen talks to NPR's Ivan Watson.

NPR's Jack Speer visits the headquarters of a small company outside Washington, D.C., to see how employees at one firm are managing to follow news about the war and get their work done. Pal-Tech has a diverse workforce, and company management encourages employees to speak freely as a way of easing tensions in the office. Employees say they appreciate the openness but want to know more about what the company is doing to protect them if there is another terrorist event in Washington.

The Thursday evening shooting in a downtown area packed with people in bars and restaurants caused scenes of mass panic in the heart of the city. It was the fourth deadly attack in three weeks.

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.

NPR's Michele Norris talks with Owen Bennett-Jones, a BBC reporter, who sailed into the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr on the British supply ship Sir Galahad today. Bennett-Jones talks about the immense security precautions used to guard the Sir Galahad from mines and small crafts as it sailed into port with the first military shipment of relief aid for Iraqis.

Wednesday's civilian deaths in Baghdad increase hostility toward the United States in many Arab nations. Vehement protests in Cairo are contained by Egyptian police. NPR's Michael Sullivan reports.

U.S. and British military commanders prepare for an "extended" war in Iraq. Adjustments in the war plan recognize that Iraqi citizens have not welcomed the invasion, and in some cases are forming counter-insurgency groups. More U.S. troops are on the way to Iraq, and could shift from a support role to a battlefield role. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and NPR's Steve Inskeep.