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The Environmental Protection Agency announces a new rule on mercury emissions from coal-fire power plants that will phase in reductions over 20 years. The plan delays deep cuts in mercury pollution for about 10 years.

The new Iraqi National Assembly irons out final details of a power-sharing agreement between Shiites and Kurds ahead of the body's inaugural meeting Wednesday. Major differences still exist between the two groups on issues such as federalism and the separation of mosque and state.

The Vatican describes Pope John Paul II's condition as "very grave" after suffering heart failure during treatment for a urinary tract infection. Church officials deny reports the pontiff is in a coma and say he is "conscious, lucid and serene." He remains at his Vatican residence.

The World Health Organization is appealing for emergency aid in fighting an outbreak of deadly Marburg virus in Angola and southwestern Africa. So far the virus has infected 200 people, killing 173, but health workers fear there are more undocumented cases.

Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country in central Asia that has one particular resource of value: gold. It has also been seen as an island of democracy. China is particularly interested in events there. Robert Siegel talks with Martha Brill Olcott, senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Pentagon officials are expressing guarded optimism that they may begin withdrawing a significant number of American military personnel from Iraq next year. But no one in the military leadership is discussing a full withdrawal yet.

India and Pakistan restart bus service through the disputed Kashmir region after nearly six decades of turmoil. Service began despite an attack on riders in India by Islamic separatist militants. The nuclear rivals have sparred over the border region since partition in 1947.

The Senate will vote Monday on the Bush administration's request for $87 billion in funds for postwar security and reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. But a provision that would have converted some of the aid from grants to loans disappeared this week after political maneuvering on Capitol Hill. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.

The Senate Intelligence Committee places demands on the Bush administration for documents relating to prewar intelligence on Iraq. The Republican chairman of the committee and the ranking Democrat have written to administration officials insisting on a Friday deadline for the information. NPR's David Welna reports.

A review of the murder of convicted pedophile priest John Geoghan in prison -- and his general treatment while incarcerated -- suggests that the problems that led to his death are widespread in Massachusetts prisons. Low-risk inmates are being placed in maximum-security lockups with violent inmates. NPR's Anthony Brooks reports.