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The Supreme Court's busy docket for its new session includes a challenge to the death penalty for 16 and 17 year olds and a test of federal sentencing guidelines. Justices also will hear arguments on government use of eminent domain. Hear NPR's Nina Totenberg.

President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry are spending much of this weekend preparing for their first debate, to be held Thursday in Florida. The subjects of the debate will be foreign policy and homeland security. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

The nomination of Porter Goss to head the CIA is expected to be supported Tuesday by the Senate Intelligence Committee. The panel's finding will be accompanied by objections from several Democrats. NPR's David Welna reports.

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry details his plan for dealing with the flu vaccine shortage. He announced the plan in Florida and continued to run ads that are critical of President Bush's handling of the situation. NPR's Julie Rovner reports.

The United Nations agrees to look into charges of fraud in Afghanistan's presidential election. Before the investigation was announced, rivals of interim President Hamid Karzai had threatened to reject the vote. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and NPR's Philip Reeves.

The Senate approves legislation making it a separate crime to kill or injure a fetus while committing a federal crime against a pregnant woman. Opponents denounce the bill as an effort to undermine abortion rights by recognizing a fetus as a person. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and NPR's Andrea Seabrook.

Fighting between followers of Muqtada al-Sadr and U.S. forces left much of Najaf heavily damaged. Sadr described the fighting as a struggle to defend the holy city. But in Najaf, a backlash is growing against the young cleric and his violent tactics. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.

An advisory committee recommends the FDA issue stronger warnings about the use of antidepressants called SSRIs in children and teenagers. The panel concludes that available research suggests the drugs can double the incidence of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Hear NPR's Joanne Silberner.

After reviewing a video, the British government confirms that contractor Kenneth Bigley was beheaded in Iraq. In an earlier video, Bigley had pleaded for authorities to meet his captors' demands. He was abducted along with two Americans, both of whom were killed earlier. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports.

Afghan officials continue to gather ballot boxes spread throughout the country from Saturday's presidential vote. Apart from President Hamid Karzai, all candidates in the country's election have declared the process illegitimate. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.