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The U.S. government is sending 20,000 talking books to Afghanistan in an effort to improve maternal and child health. The country has the world's highest maternal mortality rate, and statistics for children are even grimmer. NPR's Julie Rovner reports.

As China's strict communist ideology erodes, prostitution booms. But Christian churches are sprouting in the heartland. In the third of a series on his journey through the world's most populous nation, NPR's Rob Gifford notes the resurgence of prostitution and religion.

Government investigators continue poring over the documents and photographs that led to this week's terror warnings, some of them from a laptop computer seized in Pakistan. The files reportedly contain detailed information about financial institutions in New York City, Newark and Washington, DC. Hear Homeland Security advisor Frances Townsend and NPR's Michele Norris.

Investing in a smart way can get you set up for whatever the future may bring. But where to begin? Here are a few tips for those who are just entering the world of investing.

President Bush has nominated House Intelligence Committee Chairman Porter Goss (R-FL) to direct the Central Intelligence Agency. But it's unclear what Goss' role would be, as Congress considers a proposal to create a national director to supervise the CIA and other intelligence agencies. Hear NPR's Pam Fessler.

In a one-day visit to Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld praises the country's efforts to register voters ahead of the October elections. Addressing Afghanistan's booming opium production, Rumsfeld says U.S. forces will step up their efforts to crack down on the country's drug trade. Hear NPR's Renee Montagne and reporter Rachel Martin.

in Kabul, preparations are being made for Afghanistan's upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. Foreign organizations are trying to give the country's political parties the information, tools and tactics they need to become viable parts of the democratic process. Hear reporter Rachel Martin.

Humanitarian and rights groups say Sudanese government forces and Arab militiamen have committed fresh attacks throughout Darfur, including helicopter gunship bombings, rape and raids. Hear NPR's Jason Beaubien.

The Federal Reserve helps set the pace -- and the tone -- for the U.S. economy. While the body's interest rate changes ripple across global markets, the public knows little of its inner workings. Now a former Fed governor, Laurence Meyer, has written a book about his six years there. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and Meyer.

Writers often have precise rituals for putting their thoughts on paper. Spy novelist Daniel Silva admits his approach is manically methodical. As part of the Creative Spaces series, Silva invites NPR's Michele Norris into his den to talk process.