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Public concern is growing that the justifications for a war in Iraq were exaggerated, as those searching for weapons of mass destruction have turned up empty-handed. Commentator Andrea Carlisle ponders the fate of lost weapons of mass destruction.

A harsh new report on the state of the nation's oceans and coastal areas calls for a massive overhaul of the laws and agencies meant to keep those waters healthy. NPR's John Nielsen reports.

At a school for autistic children in China, a volunteer falls ill with SARS. When parents ignore a quarantine and take their children home, school director Tian Huiping is faced with a difficult decision: should she report them to authorities? NPR's Richard Harris reports.

An Iraqi exile group that provided the Bush administration with what it said was intelligence of evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq today defended itself in the face of charges that no weapons had been found. A spokesman for the Iraqi National Congress said that the growing discoveries of mass graves justified the US-led assault on Iraq. NPR's Nick Spicer reports from Baghdad.

Kaige is the director, writer, producer and acts in the new film Together, a coming-of-age tale about a 13-year-old Chinese boy who plays violin. The boy's father takes him from their provincial Chinese city to Beijing, seeking prominence. But plans change as the boy grows up and ultimately chooses his own path. Kaige is best known for his film Farewell My Concubine, which was nominated for an Oscar. His other films include Yellow Earth, The Big Parade and Killing Me Softly.

In the second of a three-part series, Laura Sydell reports on how changes in FCC regulations might impact the communities that broadcasters are serving.

NPR's Deborah Amos reports on the difficulties facing American officials trying to create a new civil administration in Iraq. One particular problem is whether and how to work with members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party. Paul Bremer, the head of the U.S. civil administration in Iraq, has outlawed the Baath Party.

In the conclusion of a four part series on Wal-Mart, NPR's Scott Horsley reports on labor problems facing the company. As the nation's largest private employer, the company has faced multiple class-action lawsuits from disenchanted employees. Critics say that Wal-Mart's system of reducing labor costs to keep its prices down is short-sighted and ineffectual when less than half of its workers are covered by the company's health plan.

The Federal Communications Commission votes to relax restrictions on media ownership, allowing media conglomerates to buy more TV stations and own a newspaper and broadcast network in the same city. Critics say the move will lead to less diversity of content and viewpoints. Hear NPR's Rick Karr.

Scientists in Idaho have produced the world's first cloned mule. Born May 4, Idaho Gem is the brother of a champion racing mule race, Taz, and some are betting cloning may provide a way to reproduce champion mules -- and horses. NPR's Joe Palca reports.