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Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the top military commander in Iraq, says the U.S.-led authority is "way ahead of schedule." And U.S. civilian administrator Paul Bremer says U.S. forces are making progress against guerrilla-type resistance from remnants of Saddam Hussein's regime. But some Baghdadis express dissatisfaction with developments in Iraq. Hear NPR's Guy Raz.

The U.S. military launches Operation Desert Scorpion, sending soldiers to regions northwest of Baghdad to confiscate illegal weapons and to detain suspected Baath Party loyalists. In Fallujah, where coordinated attacks on American troops have increased in recent weeks, U.S. forces conducting house-to-house searches arrest at least eight suspected militants. Hear NPR's Nick Spicer.

Gunmen pretending to seek emergency medical care kill an American soldier in western Iraq. The death marks the 29th U.S. military fatality in Iraq since President Bush declared an end to hostilities on May 1. U.S. officials report an increase in coordinated attacks carried out by men they describe as trained military professionals. NPR's Ivan Watson reports.

The White House releases an intelligence assessment from October 2002. It concluded that left unchecked, Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq would have developed nuclear weapons by the end of the decade. But a footnote from the State Department raises doubts, calling reports suggesting Iraq had tried to purchase uranium from Africa "highly dubious." Hear NPR's Don Gonyea.

Senate Republicans reject calls for an immediate public hearing on how the Bush administration used U.S. intelligence on Iraq's weapons of mass destructions to make the case for war. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) accuses Democrats of playing partisan politics. NPR's David Welna reports.

Martha Stewart steps down as head of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, hours after a federal grand jury indicts the home-decorating icon and her stockbroker on nine counts of obstruction of justice, making false statements and perjury. Stewart is accused of using insider information to dump shares of ImClone stock. Hear NPR's Snigdha Prakash.

Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide falls short in his bid to win horse racing's Triple Crown, finishing third in the Belmont Stakes. The gelding led for much of the race, but was overtaken down the stretch by Empire Maker and Ten Most Wanted. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Robert Smith.

An explosion shuts down an Iraq oil pipeline that had just resumed service to Turkey. The cause of the blast is not yet clear. The resumption of service had briefly raised hopes that Iraq could begin turning its vast oil reserves to its advantage. The disruption creates more frustration with U.S. officials. Hear NPR's Jacki Lyden and NPR's Anne Garrels.

U.S. forces raid a Baghdad villa where Saddam Hussein was believed to have sought refuge. At least five Iraqis are killed during the incident, which follows a similar attack on Thursday on a farmhouse in Tikrit, Saddam's hometown and power base. The U.S. military says the "noose is tightening" around the deposed Iraqi dictator. Hear NPR's Eric Westervelt.

The Pentagon reveals that U.S. forces attacked a convoy of vehicles near the Iraq-Syria border last week. U.S. officials say the attacks targeted "someone" associated with Saddam Hussein's regime, but will not confirm reports from a British newspaper suggesting Saddam himself may have been in the convoy. Hear NPR's Tom Gjelten.