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Now that space shuttle Atlantis has safely returned to Earth, the Pentagon plans to shoot down a failing spy satellite as early as Wednesday night. The Navy will launch a missile in an attempt to destroy the satellite before it crashes to Earth.

The deal on treatment and interrogation of terrorism suspects ends weeks of debate between the White House and three prominent Republicans, and all involved say they're satisfied. But legal experts are still parsing what the bill will actually do.

The Iraq Study Group report was released this morning. Among its recommendations: new diplomatic efforts in Iraq and the region, and a change in the mission that will allow U.S. combat forces to leave Iraq.

Robert Siegel talks with Carl Levin of Michigan, ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, about the Iraq Study Group's grim assessment of Iraq. At a news conference, Levin said, "The report represents another blow at the policy of 'stay the course' that this administration has followed."

A Marine was sentenced Wednesday for the murder of an Iraqi civilian in the village of Hamdania. Pvt. John Jodka could have been locked away for five years, but he received a reduced sentence of 18 months after agreeing to testify against the rest of his platoon's involvement in the crime.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky says his "robust minority" of 49 Republican senators will take full advantage of the chamber's time-honored rules. He adds that today's minority is always tomorrow's majority.

This weekend marked the fifth anniversary of the U.S.-led air strikes in Afghanistan. That war ousted the Taliban's brutal regime. It brought relief to many -- and tragedy to a few. Afghans who lived through it recall the bombing campaign.

Pope Benedict XVI's comments about the prophet Muhammad, made in an academic speech earlier this week, continue to inflame the Muslim world. Islamist leaders have demanded an apology and the pontiff has expressed his regrets -- but also his confusion over the uproar.

A case in the Supreme Court today may determine the fate of millions of inventors' patents. A law says that an invention can't be patented if it is "obvious," but the definition of "obvious" isn't clear after decades of litigation. Now, many companies have filed briefs calling for a change to the rule.

The population of the United States has officially reached 300 million. According to government calculations, America reached the milestone at 7:46 a.m. ET on Tuesday. The United States is only the third country in the world to reach 300 million people.