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Shiite militias take partial control of the southern Iraqi cities of Kut, Najaf and Karbala. Intense fighting continues in Fallujah, where local hospitals say as many as 280 Iraqis have died since the U.S. assault on the Sunni stronghold began Monday. Gunmen kidnap three Japanese and eight South Korean civilians. Hear NPR's Anne Garrels.

When Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was an infant, her family was told she would become a great woman. But assuring words, unfortunately, were not enough to shield Africa's first woman president from a life of hardship, which included an abusive marriage.

The languid alt-country tune gives a reminder about how to stay afloat through life's uncertainty.

Watch Jim James and his band perform songs from The Waterfall live during a special First Listen Live concert from Mack Sennett Studios in Los Angeles, presented by KCRW.

From popularizing a feared subject to scaling down high-tech tools, here are two examples of experts solving complicated problems with simplicity.

American Airlines canceled more than 3,000 flights this week because of safety inspections ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration — yet another problem for a beleaguered industry. Soaring fuel prices have led four airlines to declare bankruptcy in the past few weeks.

Mark Penn, chief strategist for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, stepped down Sunday. Penn quit the campaign after it was revealed that he met with a Colombian diplomat about passing a free trade deal that Sen. Clinton opposes.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson resigned yesterday, citing "personal and family matters." But his departure comes amid growing allegations of influence peddling. Ann Lott, of the Dallas Housing Authority, and Bruce Katz, of the Brookings Institution, discuss the allegations against Jackson.

It is now confirmed that there have been 33 deaths Monday on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Va., a total that includes the gunman. But it's still unclear if the shooter was a student, and if he was shot by police or took his own life.

The Pentagon says it is sending four National Guard combat units back to Iraq, although most of the soldiers have already spent 18 months away from their civilian jobs and their families. Others are returning — after less than three years — to Iraq.