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Secretary of State Colin Powell defends the Bush administration's handling of the crisis in Haiti, saying now-exiled leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide allowed "chaos" to disrupt his country. Powell's comments come as U.S. policy in Haiti is under increasing criticism -- from likely Bush challenger Sen. John Kerry, among others. Hear Powell's interview with NPR's Juan Williams.

Two years ago, New Century Financial was the country's second largest subprime mortgage lender. Now, it's in bankruptcy, and a new report mandated by the bankruptcy court shines light on the company's shady practices.

The British humanitarian aid ship Sir Galahad arrives in the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr. Scuffles break out as the food and water shipments are distributed, and some Iraqis worry they would be left empty-handed. NPR's Jacki Lyden speaks with BBC correspondent Owen Bennett-Jones in Kuwait City.

Author Ian McEwan's latest novel tells the story of a young woman who works for the British intelligence agency MI5 and an assignment she gets that changes her life.

The Bush administration wants to change a rule that requires the rebuilding of depleted fish stocks within a decade. The 10-year rule helped curb an over-fishing crisis when it took effect in 1996. Supporters say the rule is out of date and ineffective; environmental groups strongly oppose the move.

Thousands of lawyers and political activists demonstrated on the streets of Pakistan's capital Islamabad today over the suspension of the country's chief justice of the Supreme Court. They called for the country's military ruler General Pervez Musharraf to re-instate the judge and restore democracy to Pakistan.

If the budget allows, the Census Bureau will be out with GPS devices in 2009 to pinpoint every American dwelling. The collected data is confidential, but some private companies might challenge that law.

The federal government reports that far more underwater pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico were damaged by hurricanes last year than they realized. Weather and the pressure to find divers and oil-rig workers have overtaxed available resources.

JP Morgan Chase will acquire the troubled investment bank Bear Stearns at the fire-sale price of $2 a share, a deal quickly approved over the weekend by the Federal Reserve, which also approved a cut in its emergency lending rate to financial institutions by a quarter-point to 3.25 percent. The moves stirred fear in foreign markets.

Two U.S. soldiers are killed when their convoy comes under attack in northern Iraq. Recent attacks on American soldiers have prompted the U.S. Army to adopt an informal system of reward and punishment. Soldiers hand out food and water in neighborhoods free of attacks, while they set up roadblocks and conduct searches in areas where violence persists. Hear NPR's Eric Westervelt.