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The spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund this weekend in Washington could not come at a more critical time for Bank President Paul Wolfowitz. After two years on the job, he faces challenges on many fronts.

Sicko

Britain, the United States' chief war ally, reaches out to other nations by promoting a lead role for the United Nations in post-war Iraq. But U.S. officials remain deeply divided over the issue of U.N. involvement and other crucial questions of post-war planning. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

President Bush acknowledges the existence of secret CIA prisons around the world and says 14 high-value terrorism suspects have been transferred from the system to Guantanamo Bay for trials.

The day began with a Fox Atomic breakfast for the press at the Omni Hotel. Fox did not have any panels at this year's Comic-Con. When I asked the publicist about that, she said that they really only had one movie and they just didn't feel that a panel was appropriate. Plus she said that Fox preferred offering the press a more "intimate and interactive" experience with the talent. But I didn't feel much of an interactive or intimate experience when I was asked to cut my already ridiculously short "five minute" interview to two-and-a-half minutes. The publicist asked "so you got everything you needed, right?" I wasn't sure she was serious since I had just had a three minute exchange in a hotel hallway with Kevin Bacon. I think I might have preferred the less intimate experience of hearing the filmmaker and actors speak at a panel where they have 30 to 45 minutes to talk.

Excess speed is blamed for Monday's rail disaster in Valencia, Spain. At least 41 people died when an underground train ran off its tracks and overturned. The accident occurred as thousands of visitors flocked to the city ahead of Pope Benedict's visit on Saturday.

A new book, Inside the Wire, may offer a rare glimpse inside the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay. The book's co-author, former Army sergeant Erik Saar, served at Guantanamo Bay and describes deep flaws in the center's treatment of prisoners.

President Bush's call for more science funding comes amid criticism of his administration's approach to scientific research. Scientists say the White House puts ideology first. The president's chief science adviser calls the complaints "irrelevant."

Denmark, once the symbol of a welcoming and nurturing welfare state, is becoming part of an anti-immigrant backlash sweeping across Europe. Sentiments once associated with ultra right-wing parties are becoming mainstream.

Afghanistan is promoting a new national currency by collecting old money -- most of it printed by warlords -- for a new type of bill. The old money was so devalued it required bags of cash to make major purchases. NPR's Renee Montagne and Torek Faradi, an adviser to the Afghan Central Bank.