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Four Southern states hold primaries this week, and Sen. John Kerry is making an all-out effort to have impressive victories in the South on his way to the nomination. The Democratic candidate made several jabs at President George Bush at a campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas. NPR's David Welna reports.

Authorities in Iraq announce that an arrest warrant has been issued for Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in connection with the murder of a rival cleric last spring. Attacks by Sadr's followers left at least eight coalition soldiers dead in Najaf and Baghdad Sunday. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves, NPR's Michele Norris and professor Juan Cole of the University of Michigan.

President George Bush's re-election campaign begins running hard-edged ads against likely Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry, with the election eight months away. Analysts are divided on the effectiveness of negative campaign ads, saying they lower voter turnout. NPR's Don Gonyea reports. Hear NPR's Elizabeth Blair.

Witnesses in Iraq say a U.S. military convoy has been attacked near Fallujah. The U.S. military won't confirm the reports, but says it will have a measured and overwhelming response to attacks in and near the restive town Wednesday that killed nine Americans, including four civilian contractors. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

Negotiations continue to end the fighting between U.S. Marines and insurgents in Fallujah. U.S. forces have besieged the Sunni stronghold after the killing and mutilation of four U.S. security contractors there last month. Hear NPR's Liane Hansen and Washington Post correspondent Karl Vick.

The Bush administration considers dropping special gasoline formulations aimed at reducing air pollution in an effort to rein in rising gas costs. Advocates in California and New York blame the higher prices on the addition of ethanol, which they say doesn't help prevent pollution. NPR's Allison Aubrey reports.

The judge in the Tyco corporate-looting trial denies a mistrial to defense attorneys after meeting privately with a juror who has set off a media frenzy. The female juror, identified in several news items, was reported to be a holdout for an acquittal. The judge says the woman told him nothing has happened that will keep her from deliberating in "good conscience." Hear NPR's Nancy Solomon.

In 1994, amid a mass slaughter that left about 800,000 people dead in Rwanda, another 250,000 were raped. The Rwandan government now finds it easier to win confessions for the killings than for the sex crimes. Michael Kavanagh reports.

Legislators in Massachusetts give preliminary approval to an amendment to the state constitution that would ban gay marriage and legalize civil unions similar to those available in Vermont. The plan faces additional hurdles, including a state referendum in the fall of 2006. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and NPR's Tovia Smith.

The U.S. military calls for a cease-fire in Fallujah, but there are continuing skirmishes between American Marines and insurgents. A firefight north of Baghdad reportedly kills more than 40 Iraqis and wounds many Americans. Hear NPR's Linda Wertheimer and Rajiv Chandrasekaran of The Washington Post.