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France has authorized emergency measures after a dozen nights of rioting. Local officials can now impose curfews if they choose, and police have authority to conduct raids without warning. Severe punishment for rioters was promised, and the first sentences were handed down Monday.

Retail giant Wal-Mart is facing criticism over an internal memo that proposes aggressive moves to trim employee benefit costs, such as discouraging unhealthy people from taking jobs at Wal-Mart. The company, whose stock price has dropped over the last year, is under pressure from investors to cut costs.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made an unannounced visit to Iraq Friday in an attempt to ease sectarian tensions before next month's elections. Rice's first stop was the northern, Sunni-dominated city of Mosul. Later, she headed for Baghdad to meet with senior government officials in the capital's Green Zone.

As Hurricane Rita barrels into the Gulf of Mexico, NPR's Phillip Davis is watching the storm from the sky with hurricane hunters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He speaks with host Michele Norris from a jet over the Gulf.

NPR's Puzzlemaster Will Shortz quizzes one of our listeners, and has a challenge for everyone at home. (This week's winner is Paige Byrne Shortal from Union, Mo. She listens to Weekend Edition on member station KWMU in St. Louis.)

A fresh wave of suicide bombings strikes Iraq. More than 70 Iraqis die in two bombings at a Shiite mosque in the town of Khanneqin, northeast of Baghdad. In the capital, two more bombings rock a hotel favored by Westerners. The blasts kill at least six Iraqis.

Former model Alison Houtte used her runway earnings to open a vintage boutique where every piece of clothing tells its own unique story. Jacki Lyden rummages through the racks at Hooti Couture.

As Judge Samuel Alito preps for his Senate confirmation hearing, every word that the Supreme Court nominee has ever written has come under a microscope, including his judicial opinions about the relationship between church and state. One theme does emerge from Alito's writings: the more religion, the better.

As Philadelphia gets ready to celebrate Ben Franklin's 300th birthday on Jan. 17, Joel Rose of member station WHYY gives us a sense of Franklin's lasting impact on America.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice worked through the night with Palestinian and Israeli officials to help negotiate an agreement that will open border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The deal also provides for construction of a Gaza seaport.