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This summer, Mars is making a historic appearance in the night sky, coming closer to Earth than at any time in human history. For space author and Morning Edition commentator Andrew Chaikin, the event became a quest to take a rare astronomical portrait. See Chaikin's prized photos of Mars and the moon.

NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports on the hardest-working river in the West: the Colorado. Seven states draw from the river to water crops and quench the thirst of rapidly growing cities. As more users step up to tap the river, the conflicts increase between individual states, competing industries and nature itself.

Aaron Neville's new album of jazz standards may seem like a new direction for a singer who's better known for pop, blues, soul and gospel. But over the years Neville has found room in his performances for songs like "Summertime," "Cry Me a River" and "The Shadow of Your Smile." NPR's Liane Hansen talks with Neville on Weekend Edition Sunday. Hear songs from his new CD, Nature Boy.

Who is behind the violent opposition to the American occupation of Iraq and the deadly bombing at the U.N. compound in Baghdad? U.S. military leaders blame terrorists. Some analysts are less certain. Hear NPR's Linda Wertheimer, Rashid Khalidi, director of the Middle East Institute at Columbia University, and Loren Thompson, military affairs specialist at the Lexington Insitute.

The March on Washington series continues with a remembrance of Curtis Mayfield's song, "People Get Ready." Although written more than a year after the march, the song evokes the spirit of the civil rights movement. NPR Senior Correspondent Juan Williams reports.

A powerful explosion rips apart a mosque during Friday prayer services in Najaf, Iraq, killing Shiite leader Ayatollah Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim. The attack on one of the holiest sites for Shia Muslims took a high death toll. Hear NPR's Ivan Watson.

NPR's Scott Horsley reports that despite the West's growing urbanization, agriculture still uses up to 90 percent of the region's water. In some places, farmers are finding that selling water to cities is a lot more profitable than using it for crops.

A Zogby poll of likely Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire shows former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean is the leading Democratic presidential candidate in the key state, leading his closest rival, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, by 21 points. Hear Rich Killion of the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair says he would have resigned if a BBC report had been right in claiming his government exaggerated an intelligence report on the threat posed by Iraq's weapons program. Blair's statements came during testimony before a judicial inquiry investigating issues related to the case the British government made for war. Hear NPR's Guy Raz.

Democratic presidential candidates meet in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but spend most of their time denouncing the Bush administration's efforts in Iraq and on the economy. Anticipated showdowns between Democratic rivals didn't materialize. NPR's Mara Liasson reports.