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As members of Congress head home for their spring break, they have little to tout in the way of legislative success. A pattern has developed: Republicans propose legislation, Democrats attach amendments that win support from moderate Republicans, and the Republican leadership pulls the bills before a vote, apparently out of deference to the White House. Hear NPR's Howard Berkes and NPR's David Welna.

As pilgrims gather in Karbala for the Shiite Muslim holiday al-Arbaeen, militants loyal to firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr take control of the streets. U.S.-led forces have yet to reassert control. Hear NPR's Cheryl Corley and NPR's Anne Garrels.

Operators of America's mass transit systems have increased security in the wake of the Madrid train bombings, which killed nearly 200 and injured thousands more. Officials say the public's help is critical to spotting suspicious activity. NPR's Brian Naylor reports.

North Carolina Sen. John Edwards is expected to end his quest for the Democratic presidential bid Wednesday after failing to win a single state contest Tuesday, when more than 1,100 delegates were at stake. Speculation abounds that Edwards may be picked as Sen. John Kerry's running mate in November. NPR's Adam Hochberg reports.

An Israeli air strike kills the spiritual leader of Hamas, Sheik Ahmed Yassin, a quadriplegic, as he exited a mosque in Gaza City. Seven other people die in the attack, including bodyguards. Thousands of Palestinians take to the streets in protest. Militant Palestinian groups have vowed revenge. Hear NPR's Peter Kenyon.

Secretary of State Colin Powell makes a surprise visit to Baghdad on the first anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. At a news conference marking the anniversary, Iraq journalists stage a walkout to protest the lack of security in the country and the killing of two of their colleagues by U.S. troops on Thursday. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

The Food and Drug Administration says patients on some popular antidepressants should be closely monitored for warning signs of suicide. The agency asked the makers of 10 drugs to add the caution to their product labels. In changing its requirement, the FDA stressed that it is not yet clear that the drugs actually lead to suicide. NPR's Richard Knox reports.

Ten coordinated explosions tear through trains and stations along a commuter line in Spain, killing at least 190 people and wounding 1,200 others at the height of Madrid's morning rush hour. Spain's interior minister says a van has been found near Madrid that contained seven detonators and a tape in Arabic. Jerome Socolovsky reports from Madrid.

A pair of horrific bombings at Shiite shrines in Iraq earlier in the week have apparently not inflamed Sunni-Shiite passions -- at least for now. But the attacks that left more than 180 dead have increased overall Iraqi opposition to the American occupation. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

The newly released files of the late Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun reveal bickering and joviality among the court's nine members. In one note, Justice Antonin Scalia urges a sleepy Blackmun: "Harry, stay awake!" Blackmun also discloses that the justices had a betting pool on the 1992 presidential election. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports.