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Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticizes the Bush administration's proposed plan for the reconstruction of Iraq as short-sighted and "unreasonable." Congress is debating the administration's $87-billion funding request. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep.

The United States hopes to secure funding for at least part of the cost of rebuilding Iraq when donor nations meet Thursday in Madrid. So far, pledges have been small compared to what Washington and the World Bank estimate is needed to rebuild Iraq. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

In a month-long series, NPR's Susan Stamberg has examined the nature of power -- power in music, power and military might, and the power of language. Stamberg concludes the series by talking to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich about life after power. Listen to previous stories in the series.

A missile slams into a U.S. Chinook helicopter near Fallujah, Iraq, killing at least 15 soldiers and injuring 21 others. It is the bloodiest day of the U.S. occupation. NPR's Liane Hansen reports.

Bombings rock the Iraqi capital Monday, the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Rocket attacks and car bombs leave at least 35 people dead and more than 200 others wounded, in the bloodiest single day in Baghdad since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. NPR's Deborah Amos reports.

President George Bush addresses recent bombings in Iraq during a formal news conference in the Rose Garden, saying he believes foreign terrorists are likely responsible for the attacks. The White House event is the president's tenth full-scale news conference, and the first in recent months. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

The 37 members of Baghdad's new city council hold their inaugural meeting in the Iraqi capital. U.S. officials selected the council members to advise Paul Bremer, chief U.S. administrator for Iraq. Bremer is expected to announce a national Iraqi governing council later this month. NPR's Deborah Amos reports.

More French soldiers land in eastern Congo to lead a European Union peacekeeping mission aimed at protecting civilians and aid workers trapped in a civil war. Tribal fighting has left hundreds dead and forced thousands to flee. Hear NPR's Emily Harris.

A U.S.-backed Iraqi governing council met for the first time Sunday. The 25-member interim council can appoint ministers, approve a national budget and review laws -- but ultimate authority will still rest with the U.S.-led occupying powers. NPR's Kate Seelye reports from Baghdad.

The 25 representatives of Iraq's new Governing Council hold their first meeting in Baghdad -- an event one representative says puts "Saddam in the rubbish heap of history." The council members are appointed by U.S. officials, and Shiite Muslims have a majority of seats. NPR's Kate Seelye reports.