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Alan Cheuse reviews The Colour by Rose Tremain. Set in New Zealand in the 1800s, the story centers around the Gold Rush there.

In Sri Lanka, remittances sent from abroad constitute the number one source of foreign capital, due in large part to hundreds of thousands of poor rural women who migrate to the Middle East to work as housemaids. The mass migration of women is taking a heavy toll on Sri Lankan family traditions. Sandy Tolan reports.

The bodies of two American military guards who were missing since Wednesday are found 25 miles northwest of Baghdad. Another U.S. soldier died in a grenade attack on a military convoy Friday night. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Kate Seelye.

Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, President Bush's nominee to replace Gen. Tommy Franks as head of the U.S. Central Command defends the pre-war intelligence the administration presented on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Lt. Gen. John Abizaid says he expects U.S. forces to remain in Iraq "a long time" but declines to offer specifics. NPR's David Welna reports.

A crowd of Iraqis is killed in an explosion at a mosque in Fallujah. Iraqi civilians say the blast was caused by a U.S. bomb or missile, but American military officials deny involvement and say it was likely caused when explosives stored near the mosque went off. In Baghdad, at least four U.S. troops are wounded when their vehicles explode. Hear NPR's Deborah Amos.

U.S. troops capture nearly three dozen suspected fighters in the second day of raids on homes and building in central Iraq. Operation Sidewinder is aimed at finding those behind the recent surge in attacks against U.S. military personnel. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

British commanders in southern Iraq give local Iraqi leaders 48 hours to hand over the gunmen responsible for two incidents Tuesday that left six British soldiers dead and eight others wounded. Local Iraqis say the attacks came in response to heavy-handed British rule. NPR's Deborah Amos reports.

Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld denies that the ongoing attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq represent a "quagmire" resembling the situation the United States faced in Vietnam.

Chicago's notorious public housing high-rises — longstanding symbols of poverty, crime and neglect — are being torn down. It's part of an ambitious citywide initiative to improve the lives of Chicago's public housing residents. But for those who've only known life in the projects, the transition isn't always easy. Independent producers Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister follow the story of one family making the move.

At the Call Center de Solidaritate, volunteers answer calls as they come in. On the other end of the line is a Ukrainian refugee in search of assistance.

A special 11-part weekly series, airing Fridays on Morning Edition, highlights the creation of the American musical traditions that give this country its own unique sound. Part III examines the influential connections between gospel music and country and bluegrass.

Alan Cheuse reviews The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lipman. It's a comic romance between a flat-footed female surgical intern and a street-wise candy salesman.

One hundred years ago, Horatio Nelson Jackson took up the challenge of a $50 bet and stood up for the latest trend in technology -- the automobile. Jackson won the bet, driving the car across the country. The story of this epic, months-long motor trip is the subject of a new book by Dayton Duncan. All Things Considered host Robert Siegel talks with Duncan, and see photos from the historic journey online.

A group of Iraqis fires rocket-propelled grenades at a U.S. military convoy in Baghdad, killing one U.S. soldier and wounding six others. The attack comes a day after Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned that the United States might need to deploy more troops to Iraq to counter a growing resistance movement. Hear NPR's Tom Gjelten.

Another U.S. soldier is shot and killed in Baghdad. More than 30 American troops have died since major combat actions ended in May. Opposition to the U.S. presence appears to be more organized than before, and is fueled by media images of "aggressive" American troops. Hear NPR's Scott Simon and NPR's Guy Raz.

Every April, for National Poetry Month, we ask listeners to submit poems via Twitter and TikTok. We share a few submissions that caught our attention.

While morale has become a problem for some U.S. troops in Iraq, the men of Saber Platoon, of the first brigade of the Fourth Infantry Division, are going strong. They're on the lookout for supporters of the ousted regime in Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

Robert Siegel talks with director Stephen Frears. His latest film is called Dirty Pretty Things. It's a murder mystery.

The Bush administration has asked dozens of countries to contribute troops to help stabilize Iraq. Some countries, such as France and India, say they will not send troops without a clearer U.N. mandate. The administration has run into similar problems asking wealthy European nations to contribute money to rebuild Iraq. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

In a joint press conference with President Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair says he "stands by" intelligence on Iraq's weapons programs. Previously, Blair told a joint meeting of Congress that history would forgive the U.S.-led war in Iraq even if weapons of mass destruction are not found. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea and political commentators E.J. Dionne and David Brooks.

A remote-controlled explosive device detonates as a convoy from the Army's Third Infantry Division drives by, killing one U.S. soldier. The attack occurs in Fallujah, a hotbed of Iraqi resistance to the U.S. military occupation. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

British PM Tony Blair heads to Washington to address Congress and meet with President Bush. The leaders are likely to discuss their justification for the war in Iraq. They are also expected to discuss two British terror suspects being held at Guantanamo Bay. Blair faces pressure at home to persuade Bush to release the men for trial in Britain. Hear Warren Hoge of The New York Times.

Two Arabic-language satellite networks broadcast another audiotape allegedly from Saddam Hussein in which the ousted Iraqi leader calls on Iraqis to launch a holy war against occupying U.S. troops. U.S. forces are on high alert in anticipation of attacks tied to the anniversary of the Baath party's seizure of power in 1968. Hear NPR's Guy Raz.

Janet Wulsin explored Tibet, China and Mongolia for National Geographic from 1921-1925. NPR's Renee Montagne talks to Mabel Cabot who's written a book, Vanished Kingdoms, which chronicles Wulsin's journey. See a map of their 1923 route, and a gallery of pictures that Wulsin and her husband took on their journey.

Classical pianist Christopher O'Riley is best known for his interpretations of music by such composers as Stravinksy and Ravel. But on his latest album, True Love Waits, he transforms the compositions of rock band Radiohead. NPR's Michele Norris talks with O'Riley.