WYSO-FM: Renee Montagne

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is in the Afghan capital Kabul to meet with Afghan officials, and try to smooth relations with Pakistan. His trip follows a deadly attack on Pakistani troops by a U.S. drone based in Afghanistan. In response, Pakistan has blocked two routes used to supply U.S. troops.

Many Americans could see a bigger bite out of their paychecks unless Congress votes to continue the suspension of the Social Security payroll tax. The tax holiday, enacted to stimulate people to spend money in a bad economy, is scheduled to expire at the end of this year. Senate Democrats plan to try to extend the tax break and pay for it by charging a new tax on the very wealthy.

In the Egyptian port city of Alexandria, hundreds of women lined up at one polling center Monday. For many of the women at the segregated polling station, this is the first election in which they feel their choice will count.