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U.S. troops clash again with anti-American demonstrators in Fallujah, and again there is loss of Iraqi life. Townspeople are furious at members of the 82nd Airborne Division and want them to leave. The violence comes as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visits nearby Baghdad. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

A document circulating in Washington describes the U.S. government's vision of an Iraqi free market, with privatized industry, a modernized stock exchange and a new tax code. The responsibility for much of this transformation would go to American contractors. NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Wall Street Journal reporter Neil King Jr.

From the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, President Bush terms the defeat of Saddam Hussein "one victory" in a continuing war on terrorism. Bush says major combat operations in Iraq have ended, but much work remains to help in the country's reconstruction. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

The kitschy, Americanized "tiki" adaptation of island life includes everything from Hawaiian shirts to Hula girls... and don't forget tropical drinks garnished with paper umbrellas. Hundreds of people are gathering under bamboo torches in Palm Springs, Calif., for a third-annual celebration of tiki culture known as the Tiki Oasis. Alex Cohen of member station KQED reports.

Fifty-five years ago, John Steinbeck's best friend died in a train accident near Monterey's Cannery Row. Ricketts, a marine biologist, was cast as the fictional "Doc" in Steinbeck's best-selling novel. In the second of two Morning Edition reports, NPR's Renee Montagne looks back at Ricketts and his lasting legacy.

NPR's Mike Shuster in Nasiriyah reports on today's talks between U.S. officials and Iraqi political figures on the prospects of establishing an interim authority now that Saddam Hussein's regime has been ousted. No firm decisions were expected from this opening round of talks. The participants will gather again in about 10 days.

NPR's Ivan Watson in Baghdad reports Shia Muslim clergymen have mobilized militias and money in a growing bid to fill the vacuum left by the ouster of Saddam Hussein. Some Shiite clerics are advocating establishment of an Islamic state in Iraq, similar to the government in neighboring Iran.

Some lawyers and economists estimate that Iraq's foreign debt tops $100 billion. Some economists say much of the debt should be forgiven so Iraqis can rebuild their nation all the faster. But creditor-nations likely would balk at sweeping debt forgiveness. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

Silicon Valley-based technology firms are increasingly worried about the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, on business. Many manufacture computer parts in Asia and are preparing for business disruptions if the disease continues to spread. NPR's John McChesney reports.

The space shuttle Columbia disaster leaves Russia's space program with the responsibilty of maintaining the international space station while shuttle flights are grounded. Russia says it needs U.S. financial help to achieve that. NPR's Lawrence Sheets reports.