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NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone is testing the UN's ability to carry out such operations. Yesterday, the Security Council approved another two months for the 13-thousand member force and tabled Secretary General Kofi Annan's proposal to increase the number of UN peacekeepers deployed in Sierra Leone. The UN operation there has proven to be costly and dangerous.

NPR's Jack Speer reports the Federal Trade Commission has given the auto industry a green light on its plan to set up a massive online marketplace for buying auto parts. DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GM, and Nissan as well as more than a dozen parts suppliers are involved. The FTC had been concerned that such an alliance among competitors could lead to collusion and price signaling, but approved the plan in a unanimous vote.

- Daniel talks with John White, a professor of political science at Catholic University in Washington D.C....and Ruy Teixiera (ROO-e tuh-SHARE-uh) of the Economic Policy Institute, also in Washington. Today is the 25th anniversary of the 26th Amendment to the Consitution. It's the one that gave 18 year olds the right to vote. Both men say that the percentage of 18-20 year olds who acutally vote has dropped since the Amendment was approved in 1971.

President Clinton's choice for defense secretary, retiring Senator William Cohen, is expected to win easy confirmation by the Senate. The Senate usually embraces nominations of former members. Plus, Cohen is a Republican, seeking the approval of the GOP-led body. Democrats are expected to support the appointment, in part because Cohen has been independent during his three terms, opposing Republican leaders on issues including the Iran-Contra affair. NPR's Elizabeth Arnold has a profile.

NPR's Julie Rovner reports on efforts on Capitol Hill to develop a "patients' bill of rights," which seems unlikely to be approved this year. Negotiators also are working on a "drug reimportation" bill, which would make it easier to import US made drugs after they've been exported, and sell them at lower prices than drugs intended for the US market. The drug bill's chances of becoming law are unclear. It is attached to a popular agriculture measure, and has a better chance of survival than if it stood alone.

NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports that the Bush administration is rescinding environmental regulations that were approved in the last days of Bill Clinton's presidency. The latest rules to be reversed include one that requires the mining industry to post clean-up bonds and another that would reduce arsenic content in drinking water.Earlier, the Bush administration cancelled a rule that would have required lower carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tours the state hoping to convince voters to approve his $15-billion bond measure and a related initiative to limit future spending. The governor says the two ballot initiatives are key to solving the state's fiscal crisis. Analysts say it's Schwarzenegger's fate that may be affected the most by the outcome of the March 2 vote. NPR's Ina Jaffe reports.

Five Shiite Muslim members of the U.S.-appointed governing council in Iraq refused to sign the interim constitution Friday, saying at least two of its provisions did not meet their approval. Chief U.S. administrator Paul Bremer continued talks with the council, hoping to salvage the constitution. Hear NPR's Melissa Bock and NPR's Ivan Watson.

Did the Bush administration approve the systematic torture of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan? Many civil rights groups are asking that question this week after the release of two memos prepared by Bush administration lawyers suggesting the president is not obliged to adhere to federal and international standards on the use of torture. NPR's Tavis Smiley talks to Harvard Law School professor Alan Dershowitz and Michael Ratner, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights, about whether torture is ever justified.

The announcement kicks the can down the road on what the high court will do for another few days. Mifepristone is used in about half of all abortions nationwide.