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A snappy new CD by the Charlie Hunter Quintet features harmonica, sax, trombone, drums, and guitar, underpinned by a funky bass line — but there's no bass player listed in the liner notes. That's because Hunter does double duty, playing bass and guitar lines with his custom-made eight-string guitar. NPR's Liane Hansen talks with Hunter about his unique playing style.

The World Health Organization cautions travelers to avoid China's Shanxi province, Beijing and Toronto, saying the regions are high-risk areas for the deadly respiratory disease called SARS. But Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman and other officials call the warning an overreaction. Hear NPR's Richard Knox.

As the war in Iraq winds down, a private research group begins efforts to count the number of Iraqi civilians killed in the conflict. But the Center for Defense Information says the task is complicated by ongoing fighting, and by the lack of an official government in Iraq. Hear Mark Burgess of the Center for Defense Information.

In a middle class neighborhood on Baghdad's southern edge, dozens of unexploded bombs lie on the road and hang in trees. American soldiers are gradually dealing with the threat. NPR's Jackie Northam reports.

Alan Cheuse reviews the novel Shelter from the Storm by Michael Mewshaw. Cheuse says Mewshaw is a thinking person's thriller writer.

The CDC revises estimates of the number of SARS cases in the United States. The new number is much lower than previous counts, since the CDC no longer includes in the total those "suspected" of having the illness. NPR's Joanne Silberner reports.

NPR's Melissa Block talks with NPR's Jackie Northam reporting from Baghdad.

The U.S. military announces that Iraqi police have arrested Hikmat al-Azzawi, the former Iraqi finance minister and deputy prime minister, and turned him over to U.S. Marines. And a cache of hidden cash is discovered in the walls of one of Saddam Hussein's palaces. Hear NPR's Lynn Neary and NPR's Jackie Northam.

Huge crowds of Iraqi Shiite Muslims converge in Karbala, Iraq. They are making a pilgrimage for one of Shiite Islam's holiest celebrations -- one banned for decades by Saddam Hussein. Some Shiite leaders hope pilgrims will demonstrate against the United States. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports, and NPR's Melissa Block talks to Mahmoud M. Ayoub, professor of Islamic studies and comparative religion at Temple University.

Vince Gill is a can't-miss country music hit maker whose signature sound combines the pop feel of modern country acts with a deep love and respect of traditional country music soul. Gill sat down recently with NPR's Melissa Block to play some songs from his new album. Watch a video of Gill perform a solo rendition of "We Had It All" and hear him perform other songs exclusive to npr.org.