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A shrewd political strategist, California Rep. Nancy Pelosi has had an unprecedented career in Congress. First elected in 1987, Pelosi became one of the most effective leaders of the Democratic Party.

The National Guard has not met its recruitment goal for the fiscal year that ends Thursday, a failure it blames on current lengthy deployments. The Pentagon is seeking ways to reduce the strain on the National Guard and other forces. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports.

Iraqi security forces raid the town of Madaen, near Baghdad, seeking to free a large number of Shiite hostages. More than 100 hostages were reportedly taken by Sunni militants.

The remaining Democratic presidential hopefuls debate in Los Angeles, ahead of contests in California and nine other states March 2. Sen. John Edwards seeks to distinguish himself from frontrunner Sen. John Kerry, pointing out their differences on free trade and capital punishment, and arguing he is more likely to win over conservative voters. Hear NPR's Scott Horsley.

Several thousand people turn out in New Orleans for a march and rally led by Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton and others. They want a delay in local elections. Many New Orleans residents remain in far-off cities, displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Turkey was originally intended to focus on links with the Orthodox Christian church. But it has been expanded to cover relations the Muslims.

External efforts to end a nearly two-month-old strike in Venezuela gain momentum. Former President Jimmy Carter's plan to address the crisis is embraced by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. The strike has crippled oil production in one of the world's major exporters. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

The New York City police department asks a federal judge for permission to spy on political groups, before having evidence of wrongdoing. The police department says the increased powers are necessary in order to fight terrorism. Critics say existing rules are flexible enough to give police the latitude they need. Marianne McCune reports.

During the past week's Sept. 11 hearings, there were a lot of complaints about the intelligence community. The FBI was specifically criticized as disorganized and dysfunctional. Director Robert Mueller does plans some changes. Hear NPR's Cheryl Corley and NPR's Larry Abramson.

South Korea promises a "compromise solution" in a bid to end a thorny standoff between North Korea and the United States over the North's nuclear ambitions. U.S. officials say they want a diplomatic solution, but won't abandon a 1994 accord in which North Korea agreed to close a nuclear plant it is now moving to reopen. NPR's Eric Weiner reports.