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American officials are helping Iraqis build a new, civilian-controlled defense department ahead of the U.S. transfer of sovereignty to Iraqis in July. U.S. officials have little time left to train dozens of officers from Iraq's old army -- long accustomed to working under a dictatorship -- how armed forces work in a democracy. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

Rock Historian Ed Ward on the history of African-American musicians in Nashville. He plays music from Night Train to Nashville a double CD put out by the Country Music Hall of Fame (in conjunction with a Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Show).

Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader says he'll meet with Democrat Sen. John Kerry next month to talk about forming a "second front" in the effort to defeat President Bush in the fall. Many Democrats fear Nader's candidacy could tip the election to Bush. Nader talks with NPR's Bob Edwards.

The judge in the Tyco corporate-looting trial denies a mistrial to defense attorneys after meeting privately with a juror who has set off a media frenzy. The female juror, identified in several news items, was reported to be a holdout for an acquittal. The judge says the woman told him nothing has happened that will keep her from deliberating in "good conscience." Hear NPR's Nancy Solomon.

Few residents of Fallujah seem to show remorse for attacks Wednesday on four U.S. civilians in the city, whose bodies were burned and hanged by angry mobs. Many residents in the restive town tell reporters the grisly deaths were a proper show of disdain for America. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and New York Times reporter Jeffrey Gettleman.

In 1994, amid a mass slaughter that left about 800,000 people dead in Rwanda, another 250,000 were raped. The Rwandan government now finds it easier to win confessions for the killings than for the sex crimes. Michael Kavanagh reports.

The Ohio congressman faces an uphill fight in the general election, as the state has trended more Republican in recent years.

The killing of four U.S. civilians working for a private security contractor raise doubts about whether employees of private firms receive adequate training and oversight. The U.S. military is increasingly giving such businesses more responsibility in Iraq -- including jobs that U.S. troops have traditionally done. Hear NPR's Eric Westervelt.

Danish filmmaker Lars Von Trier, who has never been to America, is being criticized for his latest film Dogville -- a picture some say is "anti-American." NPR's Bob Mondello says that while the film's portrait of human nature is unflattering, that human nature is more or less universal.

Nashville-based band Lambchop has two new albums out, Aw C'mon, and No, You C'mon. Both CDs rely on lush guitar rhythms and a sultry sound, combined with the unmistakable baritone of bandleader Kurt Wagner. David Greenberger has a review.