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In the U.S., people of color have been more likely to die at younger ages, especially among lower-income communities. That's had a ripple effect on finances, education and physical and mental health.

A visit to Capitol Hill Tuesday by Iraq's provisional president, Jalal Talabani, forced lawmakers to turn their attention to a war that's been overshadowed by Hurricane Katrina and Supreme Court vacancies. Some say the Iraq war is now competing with emergency spending at home.

Women in Afghanistan continue to experience more restrictions under the Taliban, including the return of the burqa. NPR's Scott Simon notes how the world seems to be distracted from their plight.

President Bush will address the nation from New Orleans Thursday evening, when he is expected to propose the biggest bailout for a region in national history. Bush will be speaking from Jackson Square, the center of the evacuated city.

Confirmation hearings begin Monday for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, with opening statements from members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and from Judge Alito. Democrats are signaling the hearings to follow will be contentious.

President Bush visits the Gulf Coast again, pledging to help clean up the region. Also, Vice Admiral Thad Allen, director of federal relief efforts, discusses plans being developed for Hurricane Rita, damage to New Orleans' levee system and clashes with Mayor Ray Nagin.

Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito's confirmation hearings began Monday. Senators on the Judiciary Committee highlighted abortion, executive power and civil rights as issues on which they plan to question the nominee. Alito also gave an opening statement.

Large regions of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan cite widespread destruction after a deadly earthquake Saturday. Deaths are estimated in the tens of thousands. Rescue and relief crews are rushing to devastated areas.

Officials in Guatemala are considering declaring a village buried under a mudslide a mass gravesite. As many as 1,400 people lived in the village. Rains from Hurricane Stan have increased the storm's death toll in Mexico and Central America.

In a case that abortion rights supporters are calling a major victory, the Kansas Supreme Court rules that prosecutors cannot have unlimited access to abortion patients' medical records. The case pitted patients' privacy rights against the state's interest in prosecuting certain types of crimes.