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The Hungarian Embassy in Washington, D.C., featured an unusual lecture and performance this past week. Ambassador Andras Simonyi hosted Hungarian-born musician Tommy Ramone, of Ramones fame. They spoke about the role rock music played in promoting a yearning for Western freedoms behind the Iron Curtain. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

Iraqi insurgents stir deadly trouble for a third straight day. At least two bombs exploded in Baghdad Friday, killing at least one person. Twin car bombs killed 18 people Thursday, following less damaging blasts on Wednesday. New York Times reporter Robert Worth details the latest developments.

The L.A.-based Dakah Hip Hop Orchestra is breaking new musical ground and expanding audiences. The group presents hip-hop in symphonic form, with a wide variety of musicians from various segments of the Southern California music scene. Fawnee Evnochides reports.

Now that the U.S. and several allies have pledged $33 billion to help rebuild Iraq, the focus turns to potential troop commitments. The situation on the ground remains dangerous for the U.S.-led force as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches. NPR's Jacki Lyden reports.

It's been a year since Congress gave President Bush a green light to go to war in Iraq. Now, six months after Saddam Hussein was ousted from power, Congress must decide on the president's request for an additional $87 billion -- most of which would be used to pay for Iraq's reconstruction. NPR's David Welna reports.

Ahmed Chalabi, a member and former head of Iraq's governing council, visits Washington, D.C., to request money in the form of grants -- not loans -- for the reconstruction of Iraq. Despite a recent report casting doubt on evidence provided by exiled Iraqis, Chalabi reaffirms his belief that weapons of mass destruction are present in Iraq. NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with Chalabi.

Rockets strike Baghdad's Al-Rashid Hotel, the temporary home for many U.S. military and civilian personnel in Iraq. The building was damaged, but no injuries were reported. U.S. authorities say projectiles also hit nearby Iraqi homes. Hear NPR's Scott Simon and NPR's Emily Harris.

Bombs rock towns south and west of Baghdad Tuesday, a day after a series of explosions left dozens dead and more than 200 wounded. Iraq's governing council says the recent surge in attacks shows the need for greater intelligence capabilities -- even if that means hiring officials who used to work in Saddam Hussein’s regime. NPR's Deborah Amos reports.

Paul Bremer, the U.S. civilian administrator in Iraq, says American forces will seek to hasten the pace of handing security duties to Iraqis. Civil defense recruits are being trained in the Sunni Triangle, the region most hostile to the U.S. presence. NPR's Jacki Lyden reports.

President Bush on Tuesday dismissed efforts at what he called "revisionist history" regarding the war in Iraq, but on Capitol Hill there were more questions about pre-war intelligence and the whereabouts of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction. NPR's David Welna reports from the Capitol.