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The leaders of Germany, France, Belgium and other countries that opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq cheer the news of Saddam Hussein's capture, expressing hope that the development will help stability return to Iraq. Some international observers pondering Saddam's fate object to any trial that would include the death penalty as an option. Hear NPR's Nick Spicer.

The capture of Saddam Hussein is seen as a key political victory for President Bush. While his Democratic challengers hail the news, the development could rob them of a key campaign issue. Some observers say the news could hurt frontrunner Howard Dean, a staunch opponent of the war. Hear NPR's Andrea Seabrook.

U.S. special envoy James Baker heads to Europe Monday to ask some of the war's biggest opponents to forgive their portion of Iraq's foreign debt. But with countries like France, Germany and Russia still angry at being barred from Iraqi reconstruction contracts, many doubt Baker will be greeted with much generosity. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards.

President Bush defends the decision to bar countries that opposed the invasion of Iraq from bidding on U.S.-funded reconstruction contracts there. The decision is announced even as the White House asks some of those same countries to help Iraq by easing its debt load. Germany, France and Russia -- all frozen out of the bidding -- are among Iraq's largest creditors. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

France, Germany, Canada and Russian express outrage over a new U.S. policy barring countries that opposed the war in Iraq from bidding on $18.6 billion in reconstruction contracts. The policy could hurt the Bush administration's efforts to persuade other nations to ease some of Iraq's debt. Hear NPR's Michele Kelemen.

The United States bars companies from countries that did not support the war in Iraq from bidding on nearly $19 billion in reconstruction contracts. The Pentagon directive effectively excludes companies from Germany, France, Russia and Canada from taking part in the biggest rebuilding effort since World War II. Hear NPR's Eric Westervelt.

Spain's prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, says Spanish troops will stay in Iraq, despite Saturday's attack that left seven Spanish soldiers dead. Opposition leaders, though, want the troops to come home. Jerome Socolovsky reports.

Following a formal welcome to London from Queen Elizabeth II, President Bush delivers a speech aggressively defending the U.S.-led war in Iraq and re-affirming the "strong and enduring relationship" between the United States and Britain. Meanwhile, protesters who opposed the Iraq war line the streets of London. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea and NPR's Guy Raz.

Tuesday's ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court that homosexuals have the right to wed spurs a response from opponents. Religious conservative groups vow to push for a federal constitutional amendment to bar same-sex marriage. Hear NPR's Nina Totenberg and NPR's Barbara Bradley Hagerty.

The Turkish government reverses its decision to send troops to bolster U.S. forces in Iraq. The reversal comes after Turkey's initial decision to provide military aid met with strong opposition from the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council. NPR's Vicky O'Hara reports.