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Americans woke up today to something that's been hidden from view during the war in Iraq -- flag-draped caskets of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq. A policy dating back to the first Bush administration bans media coverage of caskets arriving at military bases. The photographs were released to First Amendment activist Russ Kick, who had filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to get the images. NPR's Melissa Block examines the "no photo" policy, and what it means for a country at war to witness the return of their dead.

At least 12 U.S. Marines are dead as fighting rages in the city of Ramadi, near Fallujah. Dozens of insurgents reportedly attacked a Marine position near a government building, leaving more than 20 wounded. Hear NPR's Eric Westervelt and NPR's Michele Norris.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new CD from pianist Bill Charlap Somewhere: Songs of Leonard Bernstein.

He made the pop charts over and over again during the 1970s and early '80s with his love ballads like Mandy, Looks Like We Made It, I Write the Songs and Copacabana (At the Copa). Before becoming a singer, he was Bette Midler's accompanist and arranger. He has a new CD Barry Manilow: 2 Nights Live and a DVD Ultimate Manilow (Rebroadcast from March 21, 2002).

Nearly 90 U.S. soldiers and Marines have died in the last 16 days of violence in Iraq. U.S. military commanders call for stepped-up efforts to end standoffs between U.S. forces and insurgents in Fallujah and Najaf. Meanwhile, key issues surrounding who will govern Iraq after the June 30 transfer of power remain unresolved. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and NPR's Anne Garrels.

Though much of the attention in Iraq is focused on violence against Americans and the Iraqis who support them, the country is also trying to cope with a wave of sectarian attacks. Over the past month, a series of attacks against Shiite and Sunni Muslims have caused some to fear a civil war is brewing. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

An ongoing study by sociologist Robert Cushing examines the list of U.S. military deaths in Iraq and reveals an apparent statistical anomaly: soldiers and Marines from rural areas are dying at higher rates than troops from cities and suburbs. NPR's Howard Berkes looks at the research and at a Nevada family's loss.

U.S. commanders say American forces will respond to last week's killings of four civilian contractors in Fallujah... but it will come at a time and place the Marines choose. Meanwhile, three Iraqis accused of launching rocket attacks on the Marine base there are arrested. Hear NPR's Howard Berkes and Eric Niiler of member station KPBS, who is embedded with the First Marine Division.

NPR's Liane Hansen plays "name that tune" with Fred Child, host of NPR's Performance Today, while listening to a new cd featuring Cuban treatments of classical tunes. Classic Meets Cuba by Klazz Brothers and Cuba Percussion has just been released in this country on Sony Classical.

Karen Hughes, a top advisor to President Bush, says the Bush administration's decision to allow National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice testify before the Sept. 11 commission proves it wants to be open with the American public about its actions before and after the attacks. Hughes has written a new book about her life in politics, Ten Minutes from Normal. She speaks with NPR's Juan Williams.