WSDL-FM: Steve Inskeep

NPR has confirmed some elements of a reported $200-million-settlement that resolves civil and criminal penalties growing out of last year's Upper Big Branch mine disaster in West Virginia. Sources tell NPR the deal will include cash payments for the families of the 29 mine workers killed in the nation's worst mine explosion in 40 years.

There are new information about last weekend's NATO airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on the border with Afghanistan. Pakistan approved the NATO airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, wich was confirmed by NPR.

The congressional supercommittee has one week to meet a deadline to cut $1.2 trillion from the federal budget. If next Wednesday's deadline isn't met, automatic across-the-board cuts will be made.