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A huge explosion partially destroys a building in Baghdad, moments after U.S. soldiers entered it in an apparent search for chemical weapons. Officials say two soldiers died in the blast and five others were wounded. Elsewhere in Iraq, fighting broke out in Fallujah and Najaf. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Pakistani troops continue to battle with al Qaeda and tribal leaders along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistani officials say they believe a top deputy of Osama bin Laden, Egyptian-born Ayman al-Zawahiri, is trapped there. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel and New York Times reporter David Rohde.

A U.N. team arrives in Baghdad to begin planning for national elections. U.N. experts will make recommendations on who gets to vote and how -- questions of increasing importance as Iraqi officials near the June 30 deadline for the return of sovereignty. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Four Southern states hold primaries this week, and Sen. John Kerry is making an all-out effort to have impressive victories in the South on his way to the nomination. The Democratic candidate made several jabs at President George Bush at a campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas. NPR's David Welna reports.

The Bush administration considers dropping special gasoline formulations aimed at reducing air pollution in an effort to rein in rising gas costs. Advocates in California and New York blame the higher prices on the addition of ethanol, which they say doesn't help prevent pollution. NPR's Allison Aubrey reports.

During the past week's Sept. 11 hearings, there were a lot of complaints about the intelligence community. The FBI was specifically criticized as disorganized and dysfunctional. Director Robert Mueller does plans some changes. Hear NPR's Cheryl Corley and NPR's Larry Abramson.

Legislators in Massachusetts give preliminary approval to an amendment to the state constitution that would ban gay marriage and legalize civil unions similar to those available in Vermont. The plan faces additional hurdles, including a state referendum in the fall of 2006. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and NPR's Tovia Smith.

Five U.S. soldiers are killed in a roadside bombing west of Baghdad. In Fallujah, four civilian foreigners -- including one American -- are killed when insurgents ambush their vehicles in Fallujah, a Sunni stronghold. Cheering crowds drag the corpses through the streets and hang them from a bridge. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

The U.S. military calls for a cease-fire in Fallujah, but there are continuing skirmishes between American Marines and insurgents. A firefight north of Baghdad reportedly kills more than 40 Iraqis and wounds many Americans. Hear NPR's Linda Wertheimer and Rajiv Chandrasekaran of The Washington Post.

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.