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Hundreds of candlelight vigils are planned Wednesday evening across the United States in support of Cindy Sheehan, the California woman who has become the focal point of the national debate over the war in Iraq. Many military families have mixed feelings toward Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq last year.

Bruce Gordon, a retired telecommunications executive, is the new president and CEO of the NAACP. Gordon, 59, was the only candidate presented to the 64-person board of directors of the nation's largest civil rights organization. He has relatively little civil rights experience.

In Rome, it's the height of the tourist season and, in addition to Roman ruins, baroque palaces and the Vatican, there's something new for visitors to see. After decades of neglect, the banks of the river Tiber are springing back to life.

In Iran's presidential election, former president Hashemi Rafsanjani and Tehran Mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are set to contest a run-off election Friday. But one of the losing candidates has charged that the vote was rigged, prompting authorities to order a partial recount.

The White House and U.S. politicians join others around the world in calling for the release of a retired archbishop, singer and others in the Chinese territory.

Critics have praised the building and mostly panned the exhibitions. Do they not get it? Or is the museum just not intended for them? Is there another way to present history and culture in a museum? The National Museum of the American Indian nears its first anniversary.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon meets Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for the first time in four months. The two leaders will discuss, among other things, the Israeli pullout from Gaza in August.

Jurors report they are split 6-6 in the murder trial of former Ku Klux Klan leader Edgar Ray Killen. The 80-year-old defendant is accused of organizing the killing of three voting rights volunteers in Philadelphia, Miss., in 1964. It was one of the civil rights era's most notorious crimes.

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin makes an emotional apology on the Senate floor for remarks he made regarding mistreatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay prison camp. The two-term Democrat caused an uproar last week when he said information in an FBI report about interrogation methods at Guantanamo reminded him of Nazis, Soviets and other infamous regimes.

About 400,000 young pilgrims from around the globe are arriving in Cologne for World Youth Day. But the tiny town of Marktl -- where Pope Benedict was born -- has also become a pilgrimage destination.

Pope Benedict XVI returns to his homeland to take part in World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany. This is the new pope's first international event since his election four months ago. Observers will watch closely to see whether he has the same impact on the world's young Catholics as his predecessor.

More than 5,000 additional pages of documents related to Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' legal past were released Monday. The appellate court judge's apparent sympathy for prayer in public schools is among the items of interest. Alex Chadwick talks with Slate legal analyst Dahlia Lithwick about what else is drawing scrutiny in the documents, and if any conclusions can be drawn from the files.

All music is not created equal — and some songs are best at certain times of the year. That's the theory of art student Gwen Zabicki. Her tastes range from 1940's lounge music to the very latest in Japanese pop.

Sens. Mike DeWine and George Voinovich, both Republicans from Ohio, have defied party leadership on two key issues in recent weeks. Voinovich has opposed John Bolton's nomination to be U.N. ambassador, while DeWine helped defuse a showdown on judicial filibusters. David Welna visited southwestern Ohio to see how their constituents view the maverick senators.

Steve Inskeep visits a convention of law-enforcement groups and reports on the growing business of high-tech gadgets.

The U.S. Supreme Court rules that federal authorities may prosecute people who use marijuana on doctor's orders. In a 6-to-3 decision, the court found that federal laws prohibiting marijuana use trump state laws that legalize the drug's medical use.

Two years ago, Scott Simon found a treasure trove of reading suggestions from Will Grozier when he got into his taxi in London. Grozier dips into just about anything, and is often reading several books at once. Grozier shares what he has enjoyed reading this summer.

Sixty-one years ago, U.S. Rangers stormed the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc to break through Nazi lines. Historian Douglas Brinkley talks about this historical event and the rise of the 'New Patriotism.'

Citigroup says computer tapes containing the Social Security numbers and other private data of almost 4 million customers are missing. UPS was transporting the tapes to a credit bureau in Texas when they disappeared. So far, there is no evidence that any of the data has been misused.

Google enters the already crowded field of instant messaging, with a new service, Google Talk. Integrated into Google's e-mail program, the tool allows users to type messages and speak to each other over their Internet connection. But it currently does not work with AOL, Yahoo or MSN instant message services.

San Francisco is known more for its natural beauty and Victorian charm than for its contemporary architecture. But this fall the city is taking a big chance on the new de Young Museum, a 300,000 square foot facility sits smack in the middle of Golden Gate Park. Cy Musiker reports.

Madeleine Brand talks with Slate contributor June Thomas about the upcoming elections in the United Kingdom. This coming Thursday, Prime Minister Tony Blair will be up for re-election for the first time since the war in Iraq. He is expected to win a third term in office, and his party should retain power in Parliament.

In Iraq, insurgents have increased attacks three days after an incomplete government was formed. A car bombing and an attack on Iraqi police left more than 15 dead Sunday. Since Friday, violence has claimed more than 80 lives. Hear Liane Hansen and New York Times Baghdad bureau chief John Burns.

Larry Schooler of member station KUT in Austin, Texas, reports on legal issues surrounding card gambling games in Texas, like the popular Texas Hold 'Em game. There are different opinions over whether the game is actually legal in the state.

In the wake of an Australian engineer's kidnapping in Iraq, Robert Siegel talks with T. Christian Miller of the Los Angeles Times about the thousands of contractors doing business there. Miller says despite ongoing risks, companies have had no trouble finding willing employees.