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The U.S. military in Iraq launches Operation Desert Scorpion, conducting house-to-house searches and detaining dozens of Iraqis believed to be Baath Party loyalists or members of terrorist organizations. The largest raids occur in Fallujah, where coordinated attacks on American troops have increased in recent weeks. Hear NPR's Nick Spicer.

Our summer reading series continues with playwright, screenwriter and novelist Suzan-Lori Parks, a 2002 Pulitzer Prize winner for her play Topdog/Underdog. She's been rereading two old favorites: Eugen Herrigel's Zen in the Art of Archery (Random House; ISBN: 0375705090) and Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God (Perennial Classics; ISBN: 0060931418).

In the early 1900s, Henry Ford introduced America to the Model T and the assembly line. The innovations Ford started helped reshape American society. Now, the Ford Motor Co.'s future depends on the leadership of another Ford family member, Bill Ford Jr. NPR's John Ydstie reports.

A sniper kills an American soldier and several explosions rock Baghdad as U.S. forces in Iraq continue to face attacks despite a week-long military campaign to quell the violence. The U.S. civil administration says it will create a new criminal court to try those accused of inciting violence against U.S. and British military forces. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

Thousands of Iraqis in Fallujah chant anti-U.S. slogans after an explosion at a local mosque kills at least nine people. Fallujah residents blame U.S. forces for the blast, but U.S. officials deny involvement. Meanwhile, six American soldiers are wounded in two separate attacks in and around Baghdad. NPR's Kate Seelye reports.

Songwriter Gillian Welch describes her music. Welch's duet with Alison Krauss was a highlight of the Grammy award-winning soundtrack to the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan considers the new trend in "pink" books -- books by women featuring strong but girly heroines.

Howard Dean, who opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq, concedes the action has provided some benefits to the Iraqi people. But the Democratic presidential hopeful says the world may face greater dangers if a fundamentalist regime emerges in Iraq. Hear an extended interview with the former Vermont governor.

The Polyphonic Spree consider themselves a symphonic rock band, and play upbeat songs of happiness and celebration. But in their uniform white robes, the 23 members of the band look more like a religious cult. NPR's Bob Boilen profiles the band — hear a cut from their debut album, featured in All Songs Considered.

The U.S. imports more oil from Latin America than from all Middle Eastern countries combined. Oil wealth has long generated dreams of prosperity, but in the lands of production, the reserves have often brought political and economic instability. In the first of a three-part series, Sandy Tolan looks at what went wrong with Venezuela's oil dream.

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Rob Bourdaud'hui, a British-born U.S. resident and former disc jockey, about what he's listening to this summer. Listen to clips of his ideas.

Bernie Barker, a retired nuclear engineer, was 60 when he launched his new career: dancing for women. Guinness World Records has since recognized him as the oldest male stripper. Hear his story on Morning Edition.