On the face of it, Italy's economy has plenty of strengths. But its total debt is equal to 120 percent of its GDP. And with the cost of borrowing quickly rising, investors are growing increasingly concerned with the risk of default, which would spread throughout Europe and the rest of the world.

Earlier this year, an elderly, former Syrian opposition leader disappeared in Lebanon. Family members say Shibli al-Aisamy, 89, is being held in a Syrian prison, and have pleaded for mercy. The case underscores Syria's repression of the anti-government movement, even outside its own borders.

Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's prime minister for nearly two decades, may finally be leaving office. With Italy's debt troubles mounting and the nation's — and world's — confidence in him declining, Berlusconi says he will step down. First, though, Berlusconi says parliament must endorse austerity measures he worked out with the IMF.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has issued a new report on Iran's suspect nuclear program. It says Iran has conducted experiments that could only be useful in the development of a nuclear weapon. Guy Raz talks to NPR's Mike Shuster for more.

The U.N. says more than 3,500 people have died in Syria's eight-month cycle of protests and government crackdowns. Residents of Homs, the third largest city in the country, report fierce fighting as government forces try to regain control of the city.

The Obama administration recently dispatched 100 special forces to Uganda to help pursue Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army. Throughout the last three decades, Kony and LRA fighters have been accused of torturing civilians and recruiting child soldiers. Host Michel Martin speaks with former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer.