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It's 5:45 a.m. and I'm nudged out of sleep by the voice of NPR's Renee Montagne, announcing the news of the world. I reluctantly pull the covers off, get out of bed and turn the volume down on the radio, cutting Renee off in mid-sentence. My husband stirs, opens one eye and gives me his "You're crazy" look before burrowing back under the covers like a crab retreating to its shell.

A new tally from regional officials in Pakistan puts the death toll from the Kashmir earthquake and its aftermath at 79,000. Dr. Richard Brennan, director of global health programs for the International Rescue Committee, provides an update on efforts to get aid to quake survivors.

The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction has 78 open investigations into fraud and corruption in the Coalition Provisional Authority. This spring, two men pleaded guilty to bribery and fraud. Last winter, two Army officers were arrested on similar charges. Those cases appear to be only the beginning of reconstruction fraud cases.

Hundreds of Iranian women protested against gender discrimination, just five days before the country holds presidential elections. The demonstrations came as several people died in a series of explosions.

Britain has declared it will forgive nearly $17 billion of African debt. Richard Dowden, director of the Royal African Society in London, talks about the debt relief agreement.

The Golden Compass

Many Afghans are ambivalent about the role played by the American forces and diplomats in Afghanistan. But the level of anti-Americanism encountered there depends on where you are in the country.

A federal trial begins Monday in Harrisburg, Pa., over a Dover school district disclaimer that introduces the idea of "intelligent design" in high school biology classes. It is the first major test of the issue in a federal court.

Treasury Secretary John Snow issues a strongly worded report that urges China to revalue its currency, the yuan. For 10 years, the Chinese currency has been kept at a fixed rate, making it cheaper to export items -- and more difficult for U.S. manufacturers to compete.

Germany holds general elections this weekend. If Angela Merkel becomes Germany's next chancellor, she will be the first woman in history to hold that post. Some say this is a watershed moment for women in German society. But others say Merkel has failed to champion women's issues.