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NPR's Ivan Watson reports growing numbers of Kurds are leaving the oil center of Kirkuk. Iraqi security forces there have staged a security clampdown ahead of an anticipated attack by the United States.

About 300,000 American military personnel are expected to be deployed to the Persian Gulf -- the largest mobilization since Desert Storm. Among those with orders to deploy is one small unit, the Army's 85th Medical Division, with a unique mission: keeping soldiers mentally fit to fight under the stress of combat. NPR's Richard Knox reports from Fort Hood, Texas.

Many Europeans are watching with dismay as diplomacy unravels at the United Nations. Robin Cook, a member of the British cabinet, resigned to protest Prime Minister Tony Blair's support for the Bush administration on Iraq. Officials in Germany and France, as well as Russia, continued to stress their commitment to disarming Iraq through peaceful means. NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports from London.

As U.S. forces assembled in the Persian Gulf region, the Pentagon conducted one of the biggest information wars in its history. Thousands of leaflets were dropped over Iraq. At Fort Bragg, N.C., engineers with the Psychological Operations Unit -- known as Psy Ops -- produced radio broadcasts that mimicked Iraqi stations. Key Iraqi officials have received E-mails and cell phone calls crafted by Psy Ops officers. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports.

Iraq today brushed aside President Bush's planned ultimatum for Saddam Hussein to give up control of the country. The rejection came just hours before Mr. Bush's scheduled televised speech, and just hours after U.N. weapons inspectors were called out of Iraq. NPR's Melissa Block talks with NPR's Anne Garrels in Baghdad about the departure of U.N. weapons inspectors and the mood in the city.

President Bush addresses the nation this evening on the issue of Iraq. Earlier today the United States, Britain and Spain said they've given up their efforts to obtain another U.N. Security Council resolution to deal with the disarmament of Iraq. Following the announcement, Secretary General Kofi Annan said he has ordered the withdrawal of all U.N. personnel from Iraq to ensure their safety. The United States and Britain are holding France responsible for the failure of diplomacy. NPR's Vicky O'Hara reports.

The Firesign Theatre brings us a surrealistic episode of Bob Hind and his Golden Hind Specialty Cruises, as he welcomes Peggy and Vernon Soccermom from Elmertown, who recently went for a vacation. They recount the authentic Irish experience they had at the oldest pub at the airport.

As the U.S., Britain and Spain abandon efforts to win U.N. approval for a new resolution on Iraq, President Bush prepares to address the nation at 8 p.m. ET. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says Bush will issue an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein, that the Iraqi leader leave the country or face war. And Secretary of State Powell says the "time for diplomacy has passed." Hear NPR's Vicky O'Hara and Michele Kelemen.

Host Bob Edwards details a century-old lightbulb that keeps burning and burning. The hand blown bulb is only four watts, but it's been burning in a California fire station since a neighbor donated it around the turn of the century.

Anti-war protests are held in many U.S. and world cities. The White House says a weekend summit between President Bush and two key allies seeks a peaceful resolution to the Iraq issue. But senior administration officials tell The Washington Post it's too late for diplomacy. And U.S. bombers take out an Iraqi radar facility. Hear NPR's Tom Gjelten.