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Book critic Maureen Corrigan considers Lucky Girls (Ecco), the debut short story collection by Nell Freudenberger.

One month after a bombing that killed 21 people at the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad, the organization has sharply reduced its humanitarian efforts in Iraq. U.N. officials say they are struggling to deliver food, water and medical services with a much thinner staff. Hear U.N. Undersecretary for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland.

Lawmakers question the Bush administration's $87 billion request for Iraq and Afghanistan, but GOP leaders say they expect congressional approval. U.S. officials say the funds will boost the estimated federal deficit to more than $525 billion. And Secretary of State Powell prepares for a Saturday meeting with the permanent U.N. Security Council members. Hear NPR's David Welna, NPR's John Ydstie and NPR's Vicky O'Hara.

Testifying before a Senate panel, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Richard Meyers say more money is essential for military operations and reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lawmakers question the administration's request for $87 billion and say it is a "bitter pill to swallow." Hear NPR's David Welna.

Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage says that although U.S. administrator Paul Bremer remains in charge in Iraq, the country's interim governing council is gaining more say in the daily decision-making process. His comments come amid growing calls from the international community that the U.S. speed up the handover of power to the Iraqi people. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with Armitage.

Woody Allen's new comedy Anything Else stars Jason Biggs and Christina Ricci. Film critic David Edelstein reviews the film.

NPR's Adam Hochberg reports from Fort Bragg, N.C., where thousands of soldiers from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division are leaving for Iraq. For many of them, it's their second deployment this year.

President Bush's formal request for another $87 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan arrives on Capitol Hill. Four Senate committees promise hearings on the funding request. NPR's David Welna reports.

Johnny Cash, country music's "Man in Black," dies due to complications from diabetes at 71. Cash, whose hits include "I Walk the Line," and "A Boy Named Sue," earned 11 Grammys in his six-decade career and was inducted into the Country Music, the Rock and Roll and the Songwriters halls of fame. Cash's death comes four months after the death of his wife, June Carter Cash. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards.

An independent investigation board determines the Feb. 1 Columbia disaster was caused in part by mismanagement within NASA, and recommends changes the space agency should make before resuming shuttle flights. Some analysts say fixing NASA's culture will be the most difficult of space agency changes. Hear NPR's Richard Harris and Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI).